Friday marks the beginning of Trans Pride L.A. 2013, presented by the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and co-sponsored by Gender Justice LA, the Los Angeles Transgender Film Festival, and the Transgender Law Center. GLAAD is the official media sponsor for Trans Pride L.A.
Trans Pride L.A. 2013 is a two-day event celebrating the vibrancy and uniqueness of Los Angeles' trans and genderqueer community. The festivities, which are free and open to all, will take place Friday night, June 21 and Saturday, June 22. All events for Trans Pride L.A. will take place at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Village at Ed Gould Plaza.
Trans Pride L.A. will kick off on Friday, June 21, with the Big Queer Convo program, featuring a very special, intimate evening with transgender actress, producer, community advocate, and GLAAD Media Award winner, Laverne Cox. Laverne will share stories about her personal journey as an out and proud, black trans role model in entertainment/media and how she uses her celebrity to speak out for trans issues at the intersection of race, gender and class. After the Big Queer Convo event, everyone will be welcomed to attend a reception in the Village Courtyard to meet Ms. Cox and celebrate her advocacy work for the trans community.
Check out Laverne's video for the "I AM: Trans People Speak" project here and watch her present a GLAAD Media Award with Dr. Kortney Ryan Ziegler here.
Saturday, June 22, will begin at noon with the mixes of DJ Tranity. The rest of the day will be filled with performances by Debbie Goodman and Friends, Daniella Escobedo, and Ryan Cassata, as well as workshops led by the Transgender Law Center and Laverne Cox. A photoshoot by photographer Jen Rosenstein will take place, and the Los Angeles Transgender Film Festival will screen a selection of short films. The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center will also provide HIV testing services throughout the day. You can see the full two-day schedul here.
A BBQ dinner will be provided by Chef Ty Pelanconi, with beverages from Absolut Vodka. During the dinner, awards will be given, with the Alexis Rivera Trailblazer Award going to trans advocate and co-author of the book, Two Spirits, One Heart, Aiden Aizumi, and the Outstanding Ally Award going to the longtime Secretary of Pasadena PFLAG and mother of a trans man, Betsy Hanger. The Trans Pride L.A. After Party will be hosted by Gender Justice L.A.
Find out more about the many events for Trans Pride L.A. 2013, and connect with the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center on Facebook and Twitter!