San Diego, in alignment with other large cities in California is hosting the first annual Trans* Pride and March Friday, July 18.
The Trans* Pride and March begins 4:30 p.m. at Balboa Drive, heading north on Sixth Avenue. It turns east on University Avenue and ends at the Hillcrest Pride Flag at University Avenue and Normal Street, the site of the LGBT Pride Stonewall Rally at 6 p.m.
The Trans* Pride and March will be preceded by a community barbecue, which is open to all trans* people, their friends and families and community allies.
The barbecue will be in Balboa Park, at the corner of Balboa Drive and Sixth Avenue, 12-4 p.m.
There will be provided food, potluck, games, and activities for all ages.
“We stand on the shoulders of many transgender activists, such as Sylvia Rivera and Reed Erikson, who have struggled in a civil rights movement to obtain not only ordinary equality for trans people, but for the entirety of the LGBT community,” said Autumn Sandeen the Trans* Pride and March media contact. “And, the ‘march’ for trans people’s civil rights has slowly progressed forward across the nation.”
In a statement Claire Russell, Ms. Trans San Diego (2013) said, “California’s AB 1266 made schools a safer place for our children, and AB 1121 – authored by San Diego’s own Speaker Toni Atkins – has streamlined legal name and birth certificate changes that make transgender people’s lives less stressful. This march is as much a celebration of these civil rights victories as it is a celebration of our community itself, as well as a message to our city that we are here, we are San Diegans and we are a part of the city’s broader communities too.”
“Trans* Pride developed as an opportunity for trans* and gender non-conforming people to create space to connect and celebrate our community,” said Amber Tiffany-Furuya, a Trans* Pride and March organizer. “As a queer, trans* person of color, I believe visibility is important, and we must leave evidence of our existence. This event is a great stride in building the amazing work that has been started by other transgender activists.”
