As transgender people and allies gathered or marched across the country this week, a celebration took place in Santa Ana honoring the annual International Transgender Day of Visibility.
Rather than march, the LGBTQ Center OC hosted an event featuring an open mic, drag performances, art exhibit and resources like free clothing.
“It’s a celebration to uplift the trans community,” said Manuel Antunez, the center’s LGBTQ+ health and trans services coordinator. This year’s theme: “Stand in your truth.“
At least 150 people attended the event Friday evening, with drag performances on the balcony of the LGBTQ Center OC overlooking 4th Street. An indigenous prayer opened the event, and a “glam closet” with various clothing items was available.
The international Transgender Day of Visibility event was created in 2009 by transgender activist Rachel Crandall. In Southern California, there were several events planned for Friday, March 31, including in Hollywood, Long Beach and Riverside.
In some places, including Hollywood, activists planned to stage protests under the banner “Trans Day of Vengeance,” calling attention to the increasing number of attacks and legislation against people who identify as trans, as well as against the general LGBTQ+ community.
Activists say the “vengeance” moniker derives from a meme that has been around the trans community for years and is not a call to violence, according to The Associated Press. Still, Twitter removed thousands of tweets promoting a “trans day of vengeance” demonstration in Washington, D.C., Saturday— the social media company’s head of Trust and Safety said the term “vengeance” doesn’t “imply a peaceful protest” — and that rally was ultimately canceled due to “a credible threat to life and safety,” organizers said.
Friday evening’s celebration in Santa Ana aimed to “create an atmosphere of joy and celebration where we can unite and support one another,” according to…
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