The two-day celebration takes place Friday and Saturday, June 19–20.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Trans Pride L.A. will be streamed live for the first time in the festivity’s history on Friday and Saturday, June 19–20. The two-day event remains as one of the nation’s oldest and largest celebrations of the vibrant Trans/Gender Non-Conforming/Non-Binary (Trans/GNC/ENBY) community with virtual workshops, panel discussions, art exhibit, and the highly-anticipated VarieTy Show.
The full schedule of Trans Pride will be posted online at www.lalgbtcenter.org/transpride.
“The strength and resilience of the Trans/GNC/ENBY community is a continual source of pride—not even a pandemic will stop us from celebrating ourselves,” says Trans Pride L.A. organizer Gina Bigham.
“Trans Pride has always been our annual family reunion when we share the joy of simply being who we are. During this difficult time of self-quarantine and shelter in place, we still want our reunion to happen. It will be different this year, but everyone who participates virtually will experience the same spirit of connection and pride!”
“Trans Pride has always been our annual family reunion when we share the joy of simply being who we are… It will be different this year, but everyone who participates virtually will experience the same spirit of connection and pride!”
For the ninth consecutive year, Trans Pride L.A. kicks off on Friday evening with the Center’s community forum series Big Queer Convo. This year’s special guest is actress, model, and activist Isis King who starred in the Netflix series When They See Us and competed as the first transgender woman in the reality competition show America’s Next Top Model. She has become one of the most visible trans people in the country and will share inspiring stories of her struggles, achievements, and ongoing efforts on behalf of her community. King will be interviewed by acclaimed actress, teacher, singer, and activist Alexandra Billings (Transparent, How to Get Away with Murder, Wicked, HRC Visibility Award).
Immediately following Big Queer Convo will be the virtual opening of an art exhibit curated by Micah Bazant (they/them), co-founder and Artist-in-Residence of Trans Life + Liberation Art Series and Trans Day of Resilience art project. The opening will feature a guided tour of the artworks and both live and pre-recorded readings by trans poets of color. The exhibit will continue to be available for virtual viewing on Saturday.
Beginning at noon on Saturday, June 20, the celebration continues with exciting workshops, panel discussions, and online activities, among them: workshop on trans history presented by ONE Archives; workshop for parents of Trans/GNC/ENBY children facilitated by youth from TAG (Trans: A Group), a program of the Center’s Children, Youth & Family Services; Spanish-language workshop presented by the Center and Latino Equality Alliance for parents and relatives of Trans/GNC/ENBY youth; panel discussion exploring Non-binary, Genderqueer, and Gender-expansive identities and their place in the community; and more.
Throughout Saturday, June 20, Trans Pride L.A.’s website will present a community Virtual Resource Fair with information and links to many local organizations offering services to the Trans/GNC/ENBY community. There will also be a virtual Wall of Hope where guests can post their messages of love, hope, and support, as well as an interactive “community courtyard” where guests can socialize and connect with each other.
Trans Pride L.A. will culminate with the 6th Annual VarieTy Show, a fully-produced concert to be streamed live on Trans Pride L.A.’s website. This year’s edition will include new, pre-recorded performances as well as archived performances from past VarieTy Shows. Hosted by Kelly Mantle, the VarieTy Show includes performances by Alexandra Billings, D’Lo, Flavia, Jakk Fynn, Abdullah Hall, Ian Harvie, Our Lady J, Ezra Michel, Clear Mortifee, Delia Danae Rawdon, Shane Ivan Nash, Gio Bravo, and the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles.
To accommodate guests from around the world, both Big Queer Convo and VarieTy Show will be rebroadcast on Sunday, June 21. The two segments will also be available on demand in Trans Pride L.A.’s website for the month of June.
Official Sponsor is Happy Hippie Foundation. Media Sponsor is THE FIGHT.
For more information and updates about Trans Pride L.A., visit www.lalgbtcenter.org/transpride.
