Group celebrates Transgender Day of Visibility in Palm Springs.
As California celebrates the life of famed activist Cesar Chavez, Tuesday was also a day to bring attention to the accomplishments of the Transgender community .
At an open house at the Equality California Office in downtown Palm Springs, people gathered to hear stories from the transgender community, make signs showing support and picking up educational materials.
According to the group that gathered at Tuesday’s pop-up event in Palm Springs, trans people everywhere are fighting the hatred and the phobia associated with the group. Unlike Transgender Day of Remembrance, this is not a day for mourning — it is a day to be empowered.
“A day like this is important because it highlights the issues we face and celebrate the achievements we’ve made as a community,” says organizer Devin Payne. “We are very much a minority and underrepresented, and as we face a number of challenges and face discrimination in the world, this is really a day to celebrate.”
Payne says that in California there are a number of protections through the law — but many other states do not. “There have also been a number of suicide of trans people due to bullying and discrimination so its very important that we bring awareness to our issues and help build support in our allied communities,” says Devin Payne.
Organizers say there are hundred’s of transgender people in the Coachella Valley and thousands in riverside county. You can show your support through local allied organizations like Equality California — or on social media by using the hashtag #TDOV.
