The Transgender Day of Empowerment was established as a way to celebrate, empower and honor the transgender community in San Diego. The idea was conceived by Tracie O’Brien as a way to counter the sadness and pain of the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, which honors those lost due to anti-transgender violence. This year the Transgender Day of Empowerment Friday, April 10 will focus on transgender women of color, to promote awareness of the increasing level of violence against transgender women and encourage appropriate action.
Guest speakers this year include Prizila Dajia Vidal, a young activist who works with youth and the HIV community, A.T. Furuya, a student at SDSU and local transgender activist who volunteers with youth, Trans Pride and more.
The Community Service Award will be presented to a transgender community member who has done outstanding work to improve transgender lives in San Diego. The Satin Styles Youth Award will be presented to a young person who has shown courage and activism in becoming their authentic self. The Ally Award will be presented to an ally who has shown active and ongoing support for the transgender community. In addition, we will award the inaugural Tracie O’Brien Transgender Scholarship to a local transgender youth. To present this scholarship, the organizers will welcome former Assemblymember and LGBT activist Tom Ammiano as the special guest.
Each year since 2012, with the help of the Hillcrest Business Association, the transgender flag is raised over central Hillcrest in honor of the Transgender Day of Empowerment. The event itself starts at 6 p.m. at The San Diego LGBT Center, 3909 Centre St.
For further information contact Connor Maddocks at cmaddocks@thecentersd.org or 619-692-2077 x109.
