A light drizzle began the afternoon of May 30th at Bixby Park, so attendees and event organizers hurriedly moved into the Community Center to celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV).
Though everyone was in very close quarters, the halls, foyer and main event room were abuzz with activity and filled with laughter.
The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach partnered with LBCC and other community partners to sponsor this annual event to celebrate and uplift the transgender and gender non-forming community in Long Beach.
Generally observed worldwide on Mar. 31, TDOV recognizes the resilience and celebrates the triumphs of the transgender and gender nonconforming communities.
These communities face many violations due to respective identities such as stigma, harassment, discrimination, violence, poverty, and among others according to the Human Rights Campaign.
People mingled and perused the various booths advertising community resources for healthcare, support groups, and even supportive hugs from willing on-the-fly adoptive mothers.
Belladonna Davis, who uses they/them pronouns, is a film major and attended the event with their girlfriend Samantha Flores, an arts major at LBCC.
This was Davis’ second TDOV event attendance, and Flores’ first.
“It’s really cool and it’s very healing to see trans people anywhere all the time,” said Flores.
Both shared that TDOV is a welcome respite given the year-round adversity, especially considering the current climate.
“It’s great to be connected to so many resources for trans people: living and being all facets of trans life is awesome,” Davis shared.
When asked about current feelings about being at the event versus on-campus, Davis shared, “It’s complicated. Sometimes I feel at home and other times I feel very isolated.”
Flores agreed, sharing that visibility and support for transgender students is a rarity on-campus. “We have Queer Space, a (student) club but the people rarely talk about their meetings or advertise them.”
When asked if a school official such as a Trustee or Superintendent-President should have attended the event to show support, Davis said “Absolutely. I’d also like to see more trans people working at school and being a part of our system.”
LBCC had sponsored the event and had representation in the form of two booths from the ASB, Queer Space and the Native American Indigenous Collaborative.
Payne West, who uses the pronouns he/they/ it, is an ASL and Deaf Culture Studies student and an officer for Queer Space. They were elated to have a strong sense of connection to the community, recognizing other attendees as friends and students from LBCC.
While West appreciated recognition and support for Native American and Two-Spirit students with the NAIC’s booth, West wished for more on-campus events supported by the District.
“It would be nice to just have more open support from the district for trans healthcare, non-binary healthcare, LGBT resources therapy. Maybe even a mini resource event specifically for trans people,” said West.
While events that recognize unique communities such as TDOV may last only for a day or month, students seeking stronger connections to campus communities can join a club of their preference by logging into the single sign-on for LBCC, and choosing Viking Engagement title.