The Los Angeles LGBT Center will host its 19th annual Trans Pride L.A. festival, one of the oldest and largest trans celebrations in the country, on June 16 and 17. The festival will take place at the Village at Ed Gould Plaza in Los Angeles. Admission to the two-day gathering is free.
For the sixth consecutive year, Trans Pride L.A. kicks off with the Center’s ongoing community forum series “Big Queer Convo.” This year’s speaker is Aydian Dowling, a trans activist, motivational speaker and fitness enthusiast who gained national acclaim in 2015 for being the first trans person to be on the cover of Men’s Health magazine. Dowling is also president and founder of Point5cc.com, a retail website geared for the transgender community. Big Queer Convo is free, but reservations are recommended by registering online at lalgbtcenter.org/tp17bqc.
Immediately following Big Queer Convo, an art opening and reception for the “We Can Be Heroes” exhibit will be held at the Center’s Advocate & Gochis Galleries. The exhibit features a mural project celebrating pioneers of trans history created by up-and-coming trans artists from the Center’s youth programs, including its LifeWorks youth development program, and by artist Julia Kaye, creator of the comic “Up and Out.” The convo and art opening are from 7 to 10 p.m.
On Saturday, June 17, the celebration continues from noon to 9:30 p.m. with a name and gender change clinic sponsored by the Transgender Law Center; interactive workshops, including a self-care workshop led by Big Queer Convo speaker Dowling; a special “activism through social networking workshop” led by LGBT rights activist, film producer, director and blogger Andrea James; the Supernova self-defense workshop; a clothing swap, and a photo shoot by Jen Rosenstein for her book “Transformational Project.” More than 30 organizations will participate in a resource fair to offer information on a wide array of services and programs vital to the trans community.
Saturday evening activities include a catered dinner prepared for more than 500 people; a special awards presentation, and a “VarieTy show” starring an array of trans performers, such as Trans Chorus of Los Angeles and comedian Ian Harvie. Limited parking is available at the Highland Annex located at 1220 Highland Ave. in Los Angeles.
Trans Pride L.A.’s sponsors include the Amazon Original series “Transparent” and Tito’s Vodka.
