The Church in Ocean Park’s LGBTQIA+ community honors this year’s Transgender Day of Visibility on Saturday, March 30, 9am–11am at the Virginia Avenue Park/ Pico Boulevard Farmers Market, 2200 Pico Blvd.
Organizers said the tragic death of nonbinary youth Nex Benedict (he/they) is the direct result of anti-trans bigotry and violence, and reminds us all of the urgent need for our community to unite in solidarity to uplift and celebrate our transgender friends, neighbors, co-workers and family, their achievements and to raise awareness of the discrimination facing transgender people around the world.
Each March 31, the world celebrates Transgender Day of Visibility and organizers said that Santa Monica is devoted to increasing transgender individuals’ visibility, safety and prosperity every day.
Given nearly half of the 400+ anti-LGBTQ bills nationally negatively target transgender people — and youth specifically — we are grateful to Michigan’s Rachel Crandall for creating this day of celebration in 2010 and choose to celebrate the day by bringing attention to and working to overcome the political opportunism of anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ bigots.
As a community they pledge to affirm and improve transgender people’s quality of life and urge locals help make these goals a reality, each day going forward, together.
Locally they are organizing free monthly community events where they discuss topics as global as cleaning up the environment to as personal as which bathrooms can you safely use without fear.
Join their upcoming film screenings, LGBTQ author talks, book clubs, the annual Queer Prom and other opportunities to unite our community.
For a more detailed description of anti-LGBTQ legislation nationally, visit this site and to donate to their fundraiser for Trans Equity Scholarships to assist those seeking to officially change their name and gender marker with the State, a cost that runs over $600 in total (compared with as little as $15 for those changing their name at marriage), please visit this site.
Please reach out with any questions or to get involved to improve of the lives of transgender people in our City.
Submitted by Joseph Delaplaine
