Events around the Bay Area will mark this year's observance of International Transgender Day of Visibility, annually held March 31. It was established in 2009 as a way to celebrate trans individuals and their contributions to society, as well as to shine a light on the discrimination they face.
This year's celebration comes amid an ongoing attack on the rights of all gender-nonconforming individuals, whether they be trans, intersex or genderqueer. Republican President Donald Trump has prioritized attacking what he calls "extremist gender ideology," while even LGBTQ-supportive Democrats have, of late, blamed trans issues for losing them the 2024 presidential election.
Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom was roundly criticized by LGBTQ advocates for declaring in the inaugural episode of his new podcast that he doesn't support trans female athletes playing on women's teams. It is in stark contrast to the state's Senate, which is expected to adopt a resolution proclaiming March 31, 2025, as Transgender Day of Visibility and designating the week of March 24 through March 28, 2025, as Transgender Week of Visibility in the state's Capitol.
"In California, we believe it is ever more critical to uplift and support our 2STGI residents and reaffirm their right to live visibly, openly, authentically, and unapologetically, without exception," states the resolution, authored by gay state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco).
South San Francisco officials are hosting an event Saturday, March 29, to mark the annual observance with a screening of the movie "Barbie," snacks, and activities such as making personalized pronoun pins and paracord bracelets. There will also be a clinic to provide assistance to those who want to update their gender marker and name on government IDs.
The event takes place from 1 to 5 p.m., with the film screening starting at 2 p.m., in the second-floor community room of the city's library and parks and recreation center, located at 901 Civic Campus Way. For more information, visit this webpage.
The San Mateo County Pride Center for a second time is offering a week's worth of events to mark the observance. It will kick off March 26 with an online name change workshop and conclude with an in-person "Trans Day of Visibility Be-YOU-tiful Celebration" at the facility located at 1021 S. El Camino Real in San Mateo.
The full lineup of events and information on how to RSVP for them can be found here.
The Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center in San Jose will mark the annual trans day event from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 29. Scheduled to speak are Congressmember Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) and San Jose Vice Mayor Pam Foley, who represents District 9 on the city council.
The South Bay center is located at 938 The Alameda in downtown San Jose. For more information, visit its website.
LGBTQ publications host mental health talk
News is Out, the LGBTQ publication collaborative of which the Bay Area Reporter is a member, is hosting a free virtual discussion about LGBTQ+ mental health matters. The online event will include expert insights, a guided meditation, and a chance for attendees to ask questions of the panelists.
Among the speakers scheduled to take part are queer Asian-American psychotherapist Noel B. Ramirez, Ph.D., who is the director of Mango Tree Counseling in Philadelphia; and licensed professional counselor Christy Hanson, Ph.D., founder of LGBTQ-affirming Hanson Counseling in Mabank, Texas.
It will begin at 3 p.m. Pacific next Tuesday, March 18. Those interested in attending can register online here .
San Francisco leaders hold constitutional talks
The San Francisco Arts Commission is hosting a new discussion series titled "Constitutional Conversations" to discuss several amendments to the country's governing document. Moderating the town halls are Director of Cultural Affairs Ralph Remington and Paul Henderson, a gay man who is executive director of the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability.
The second installment on March 18 will focus on the U.S. Constitution's Amendments 13, 14, and 15, known as the Reconstruction Amendments, and what their impacts are on immigration and liberation matters. Among the panelists scheduled to take part is Jorge Rivas Jr., a gay man who is executive director of the city's Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs.
The event will take place in the second-floor Green Room inside the city's War Memorial Veterans Building, located at 401 Van Ness Avenue. From 5 to 5:30 p.m. there will be artistic performances and activations showcasing musicians and performance artists responding to the discussion topic. The town hall conversation will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
To RSVP and register for free to attend the gatherings in-person, or to watch a live stream of the town hall session online, visit sfartscommission.org/constitutionalconversations.
Bay Area LGBTQs invited to online town halls
Horizons Foundation is presenting virtual regional town halls around the Bay Area in the coming weeks to discuss various LGBTQ issues in those communities and to connect residents with local LGBTQ-serving nonprofits in their area.
"Though our LGBTQ community now finds itself at a crossroads, with mounting threats emerging from multiple fronts, the reality is we have always faced adversity," noted the nonprofit LGBTQ philanthropic organization. "And yet, together, we have overcome formidable challenges and unrelenting foes. Through unity, standing up for our rights, and celebrating our lives - out and proud - we have made, and will continue to make, meaningful progress for our LGBTQ community and its liberation."
Each regional town hall will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. on a Wednesday night, though organizers said they could run to 6:30 p.m. depending on the discussions. The series kicked off Wednesday, March 12, with one in the North Bay focused on residents of Marin, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma counties.
One for the East Bay's Alameda and Contra Costa counties is scheduled for March 19. A South Bay / Peninsula Regional Town Hall for residents of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties is to be held April 9, while the series will culminate April 16 with one for San Francisco County.
More information on each town hall and how to register can be found here.
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