BY ANNETTE SEMERDJIAN| As L.A.’s most prominent trans pride festival, Trans Pride L.A. is a resource for the local trans community, helping with issues of health care, youth services, support groups, one-on-one counseling and legal assistance. Its support services are located at the L.A. LGBT Center.
The festival’s social media pages also provide information and support for the trans community. Trans Pride L.A. reaches across the LGBTQ spectrum in providing an understanding of the trans experience and guidance for allies looking to be supportive figures.
The 19th annual Trans Pride L.A. will take place on Friday and Saturday, June 16-17, at The Village at Ed Gould Plaza in Los Angeles. The festival will include the annual forum series Big Queer Convo with special guest and fitness model Aydian Dowling. Dowling also offers resources for the trans community, including information on how to bind safely, as well as a clothing line through his company, Point 5cc.
The “We Can Be Heroes” exhibit will also be featured at the Center’s Advocate & Gochis Galleries. A mural project by talented artists from the L.A. LGBT Center’s Youth program, as well as work from Julie Kaye, the artist behind Up and Out comics, will be on display to pay homage to those who paved the way in trans history.
The Transgender Law Center will provide name and gender change clinics as a resource alongside Dowling’s self-care workshop. A social networking and activism workshop will also be available with blogger, producer and LGBT activist Andrea James. Jen Rosenstein will also be present for a photo shoot for her book “Transformational Project.”
Other activities include a self-defense workshop and a clothing swap, as well booths from over 30 organizations that will be present to provide further resources and programs for the trans community. The festival will close with a special dinner for over 500 people and a variety show. Some of the performers include comedian Ian Harvie and the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles.
Don’t miss your chance to partake in this special summer weekend event for the trans community. Tickets for the festival are free and tickets for the Big Queer Convo must be reserved.
