There’s an old saying “Third time’s the charm”, and Trans-Pride III proved it by being the biggest and best T-Pride to date. This year’s event, held Friday, July 15 was very exhibitor-friendly. Twenty different organizations attended, including transgender groups, social service agencies, medical professionals, electrolysis services, and other community partners. TransPride organizers estimated attendance to be around 500 individuals for the afternoon event.
Trans organizations present included:
Neutral Corner
The T-Spot Resource Center
Transfamily Support Services youth advocacy
San Diego LGBT Community Center
North County LGBTQ Resource Center
Project Trevor youth support
Transform California political action campaign,
PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays),
The Human Rights Campaign.
Transforming Family San Diego Chapter (Los Angeles-based support group)
Community partners also showcased local resources:
Personal Evolution Psychotherapy
Metropolitan Community Church
Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County
San Diego Foster Youth Mentor Program
Family Health Centers
San Ysidro Health Center
Darlene Tando LCSW.
Joyce Maxwell Electrolysis
Auntie Claire’s Laser Hair Removal.
Special guest was the South Bay Pride Art and Music Festival. Their event will take place Sept. 10, from noon to 8 p.m. at the Chula Vista Bayside Park. Entrance is free. See www.sandiego.org/events/festivals-and-street-fairs/south-bay-pride-art-music-festival.aspx
The event also featured a number of educational and fun activities. Workshops focused on yoga, creative writing, solidarity in intersecting identities, and cosmetics. A clothing exchange and photography booth were conveniently provided. A beanbag toss into a Mexican Day of the Dead calavera combined gravitas and fun. And of course, there was music and dance in the large open stage area.
You could see transgender pride in a number of attendees’ T-shirts. These included the pink and blue trans flag, or the combination male and female astrological symbols with a third combined arm representing both. One shirt prominently displayed the UC Riverside Asterisk Trans* Conference, which held its second annual symposium earlier this year. Others were straightforward messages like Protect Trans Youth or Legalize Trans. And some were thought-provoking: Raise Boys and Girls the same way.
At the open microphone part of the event, several participants and organizers gave a few words about the meaning of “Community”. Leila offered that it means knowing who your own people are, when you meet a group of strangers. To Jessi, it meant people of all opinions and backgrounds coming under a common umbrella, to get to know each other and have a good time together. And Neutral Corner’s president Veronica said that Trans-Pride is like a family Thanksgiving celebration. You have the religious and irreligious, the rich and not so rich. But you all get together and break bread and share that wonderful bond of family.
The event was sponsored by The Neutral Corner, with appreciated financial assistance from The Imperial Court of San Diego and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. A number of generous donors also contributed in-kind gifts. Nourishing food and beverages came from Peets Coffee and Tea, Starbucks, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Chipotle, Vons, Trader Joes, Panera Bread, Project Pie Pizzeria, and Big City Bagels. Event supplies came from The Human Rights Campaign, Target, Buffalo Exchange and Hillcrest Art Supply. (The trans community is encouraged to support event donors and their many fine products and services).
This year’s Trans-Pride Steering Committee also deserves special thanks for their tireless work over the past months to make the event a reality. These include Veronica Zerrer, Kaya Chua, Melissa Kelley, Sophia Arredondo, Nick Walker, Michelle Dungan, AT Furaya, Jessi McMurtry and Kathie Moehlig. Event Security was provided by San Diego Police Department Transgender Liaison officer Christine Garcia, as well as by the Stonewall Citizens Patrol.
What is Trans-Pride about? Celebration of gender diversity. Standing up to bullying, discrimination, and hostile legislation. Information on local and available medical, social, psychological and business resources. Educating the public about transgender identity and issues. But most importantly, it’s about visibility. For one afternoon, transmen and transwomen gathered together and presented themselves as a real community. It’s another milestone for San Diego’s vibrant and growing transgender populace.
All photos courtesy of Melanie Yarborough, Neutral Corner
