Trans-Unity Pride 10 -

TRANS-UNITY PRIDE  is an annual multi-cultural, substance free celebration of the Southern California regional transgender community:transsexual, transgender, gender-queer, and cross-dressing individuals, and those who love and care for them.

Participants come together for a day of educational workshops, discussion groups, entertainment, art, music, refreshments and relaxation.

When It All Started: Trans-Unity began in 2000, and is the largest annual celebration gathering of the transgender community in the country. Over the last EIGHT years: Attendance has grown each year; more than 500 people attended in 2003 and more than 2,000 transgender individuals and friends have attended over the last four years. Numerous workshops have been conducted such as Its Time to Learn About Being Transgender, Transgender and Gender-queer People and the Law, and Transgender Images in the Media.

Special presentations are a regular part of our Trans-Unity celebrations such as the telling of stories of transgenderism in mythic and folk traditions from around the world, showing films related to transgenderism, and Planning Your Financial Future. Each year, we have also conducted community forums where members of the regional transgender community and members of the larger community can meet to discuss issues of mutual concern.

More than 25 vendors and other community organizations participate in the celebration by setting up booths at the event to inform and educate our community about the services and resources available to them. We have provided free STD and HIV testing each year.

Keynote speakers have included California State Senator Sheila Kuehl, nationally recognized transgender activist Leslie Feinberg, world renowned bass player Jennifer Leitham,as well as many local community activists such as Shirley Bushnell, Masen Davis, Kellii Trombacco, Valerie Spencer and Maria Roman. Regionally recognized transgender performers such as The Disposable Boy Toys, Bionik Chicks, Ocean of You, Che'la Demuir, "The Lost Boyz" and Backstreet Noise have appeared at the celebration awards evenings. To join the Trans-Unity planning committee, please contact: Farina  (323) 860-7394 or Chanel  Join The Trans-Unity Pride Yahoo Group