#FundTGIHealthNOW: Press Conference on The Transgender Wellness & Equity Fund

*******PRESS RELEASE*********

Press Release: The California Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, Intersex Policy Alliance (CTPA) unifies Trans Led Organizations Across the State to strive for Groundbreaking Transgender and Intersex Healthcare Budget Allocation Amid Covid-19 Pandemic

California, USA -- The California Transgender, Gender Non-conforming, Intersex Policy Alliance (CTPA), a coalition of TGI (Transgender, Gender Non-conforming, Intersex) led organizations pushes forth a statewide budget that centers the physical, mental, and spiritual health for the most marginalized TGI communities. Consisting of 25+ of TGI led organizations in Northern and Southern California, the Alliance builds the capacity and leadership of TGI people to create and implement policy change, increase public education, and to gain resources that will improve the livelihood of TGI people, particularly TGI-BIPOC.

Formed in 2020, the CTPA coalition advocated for the passage of Assembly Bill 2218 (Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund) authored by Assemblymember Santiago which created the fund within the Department of Public Health for the purpose of funding holistic healthcare services. Although its passage was historic, no funding currently exists within the fund. As such, the CTPA is requesting $15 million from the State General Fund to the Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund.  

The goal of this new appropriation is one part in response to the devastating effect that COVID-19 has on the TGI population in CA, namely the TGI-BIPOC community, and one part to counteract the economic adversity that TGI-led organizations face due to the economic downturn caused by the lasting pandemic. This funding allocation is intended to be distributed as grants to organizations that directly serve transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex (TGI) people, as well as healthcare providers that have established partnerships with TGI-serving organizations.

Funding AB 2218 will create and promote the facilitation of holistic healthcare programs and services focused on physical and behavioral health and wellness. It will also include referrals to accessible housing and the expansion of existing supportive housing programs. Moreover, it aims to combat homelessness, economic instability, and difficulties in accessing health care -- barriers that have worsened during the pandemic, and that account as primary factors in the increased health detriments of TGI people.

This requested budget, if approved, would make California the first state in the nation to specifically fund TGI communities.

To learn more about this historic request and the advocates that made this a reality, join us on:

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21ST, 2021 at 10AM PST.

REGISTER: bit.ly/TWEFpressconference

Community In Los Angeles Come Together to Celebrate Rayanna Pardo’s Life, #RayannaPresente

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3/20/2021

 CONTACT: 

Bamby Salcedo | TransLatin@ Coalition | media@translatinacoalition.org | o. (833) 847-2331 ext. 202

Yessica Gonzalez | TransLatin@ Coalition | yessicag@translatinacoalition.org

March 20, 2020 -- On Saturday night, dozens of people gathered at the corner of Eastern and Fifth Avenue in East Los Angeles to celebrate the life of Rayanna Pardo. Rayanna was a 26-year old transwoman who was fatally struck by a car late in the evening of March 17th. Her death marks the twelfth documented death in the United States in 2021. 

Rayanna’s family is asking for a full investigation of the incident after obtaining footage of her running away and being closely followed. They say that prior to her death, she had called them scared, and they believe she may have been thrown in front of the moving car. 

Rayanna was a client of The TransLatin@ Coalition and many of our staff had built with her, so this loss hits very close to home. This is a story that trans and gender non-confirming (TGNC) people know too well -- trying to survive and not having adequate access to services and resources. Rayanna, you will be deeply missed by your community here in Los Angeles and we promise to continue fighting so this doesn’t continue to happen to our people.

“We are mourning the loss of our sister Ryanna Pardo. This is just another example of the societal injustices that our community experiences. If she had the services and support that she needed, I'm sure instead of being dead she would have been thriving as the young beautiful woman that she was, but here we are…” Bamby Salcedo, President, and CEO of The TransLatin@ Coalition. 

Rayanna’s vigil was attended by her friends, family, members of the community, and allies. She was a sweet and loving person, and her loss will be truly felt. 

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FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S “DEATH TO ASYLUM” RULE

“Because of this decision, The TransLatin@ Coalition and so many other organizations will be able to continue to serve trans Latin@ asylum seekers while we continue to fight this inhumane rule. All people deserve to live freely and safely as who they are.”

(Los Angeles, CA, January 13th, 2021) — In response to a request from Lambda Legal, Immigration Equality, and Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order blocking, in its entirety a Trump administration rule that would have made it virtually impossible for all asylum seekers, including those who are LGBTQ or living with HIV, to secure asylum in the United States. The rule, set to go into effect on January 11, 2021, would have eliminated eligibility for anyone with a gender-based claim, and would have declared that most asylum seekers should be denied protection because they don’t deserve it. Now, the controversial and sweeping rule will not go into effect while the case is being litigated.

In his order, Judge James Donato, writes:
“In effect, the government keeps crashing the same car into a gate, hoping that someday it might break through. … But our system has no room for relitigating the same facts and law in successive district court cases ad infinitum... Plaintiffs provide legal services and other assistance to those seeking asylum and similar protections from persecution or violence in their home countries. They have provided ample evidence that if enacted, the Rule would harm this mission. … A nationwide injunction is warranted.”

Immigration Equality v. Department of Homeland Security was filed on behalf of plaintiffs Immigration Equality, Oasis Legal Services, The TransLatin@ Coalition, Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project, and Transgender Law Center. If the rule is allowed to go into effect, the population these organizations directly serve, asylum seekers who are LGBTQ or living with HIV, will face insurmountable barriers to asylum in the United States, despite the fact that they have remarkably strong asylum claims. Read more about the rule below.

“We applaud this decision and breathe a sigh of intense relief,” said Bamby Salcedo, President and CEO of The TransLatin@ Coalition. “Many transgender and gender nonconforming Latinx people face unimaginable violence, persecution, and torture around the world, and Judge Donato’s decision will literally save lives. Because of this decision, The TransLatin@ Coalition and so many other organizations will be able to continue to serve trans Latin@ asylum seekers while we continue to fight this inhumane rule. All people deserve to live freely and safely as who they are.”

More information about the rule:
The rule—promulgated by the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Homeland Security—is especially dire for people who are LGBTQ or living with HIV, who have no other recourse but to flee the unimaginable violence they experience in their countries of origin. In over 70 countries it is a crime or fundamentally unsafe to be LGBTQ or HIV-positive. The suit challenges multiple sections of the rule for creating numerous reasons why immigration judges should deny claims of asylum seekers who otherwise qualify for asylum.

The rule denies asylum to people who:

• apply for asylum based on fear of persecution due to their gender, which may be interpreted by authorities as including LGBTQ asylum seekers;

• didn’t apply for asylum in a transit country, regardless of whether that nation is safe;

• stayed in a transit country for more than 14 days, even if they were trapped in that country;

• lived in the U.S. for more than one year without permission, even if they qualify for an exception to the one-year filing deadline;

• have otherwise strong claims of persecution if they are unable to prove that government officials participated in the abuse (e.g. violence by private actors, such as civilians who perpetrate mob violence or so-called “corrective rape,” will not count as evidence toward an asylum claim);

• are unable to explain in their first interaction with immigration officials the particular social group they are a part of, requiring LGBTQ and HIV-positive people to disclose and describe their identity and intimate details about their personal lives with particular concepts and language.

The case is Immigration Equality v. Department of Homeland Security (consolidated with Pangea Legal Services v. Department of Homeland Security), learn more here.

Attorneys working on the case are Law and Policy Director Jennifer C. Pizer, Senior Attorney Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, and Senior Attorney Richard Saenz from Lambda Legal, Legal Director Bridget Crawford and Executive Director Aaron Morris from Immigration Equality, and Jeffrey S. Trachtman, Aaron M. Frankel, Chase Mechanik, Jason M. Moff, and Austin Manes from Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP.

Read Judge Donato’s ruling here.

Read the request for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction here.

Read the complaint here.

TransLatin@ Coalition President & CEO, Bamby Salcedo, to Join NBC News Diversity, Equity and Inclusion on a Panel Alongside LGB Leaders

November 17, 2020 -- Today, Tuesday, November 17th at 12pm PST, The TransLatin@ Coalition’s President, and CEO Bamby Salcedo will be participating on the NBC News Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Out & Equal for a virtual panel - The Pandemic, Polls, and Inclusion - hosted by Pete Williams and Janelle Rodriguez of NBC News. Bamby will be sharing the stage and in conversation with nationally recognized LGB organizations and leaders from GLAAD, TAGG Magazine, HRC, Trevor Project, and Out & Equal Workplace Advocates. Joshua Johnson MSNBC’s Anchor will be moderating this panel. 

We applaud NBC News for taking initiative to include trans-led organizations in this discussion. As we enter a new administration it is imperative that trans-led organizations are uplifted and centered. Especially, as the global pandemic of COVID-19 has impacted trans, gender non-conforming, and intersex (TGI) communities the hardest. 

Bamby will be discussing the specific issues that the TGI community has been facing, such as housing instability, health access, and overall violence. The TransLatin@ Coalition has been a huge source of support for the community in Los Angeles and nationally, and she will be discussing the need for resources specifically dedicated to the TGI community. These conversations are critical and we hope to expand people’s understandings of how to support the TGI community.

Tune into the discussion today, November 17th from 12 pm-1:30 pm PST/3 pm-4:30 pm EST. Register Here: https://outandequal.org/the-pandemic-polls-and-inclusion/?fbclid=IwAR3fUkHinzD8wPjpZbwMAVaPMa7wwXHK5GwYEXeRwvd_JGSzNAE3Q_QHVWY 

Post-Election Commitment to our Communities

Hello beautiful community,

We are sending love, light, and power to our community across the country and the globe at this moment. As the presidential election comes to an end, The TransLatin@ Coalition is committed to continuing our work to ensure that Trans, Gender Nonconforming and Intersex (TGI) communities thrive and are met with all material and holistic needs to survive. Historically, none of the 45 previous presidents have invested in TGI lives to the magnitude needed to shift the positionality of our people, and although we are hopeful with the new president-elect Joe Biden, we expect the same outcome. Local, state and national governments have continuously failed to address our needs and have even set our progress back, which has given our community a negative perception of the democracy that currently exists. We will continue to exist and find the resources needed to fight the system as it is designed. 

 We as an organization and as a community are hopeful and we are going to continue to make systemic change, through our power to organize, mobilize, and advocate. Before this moment and for the future, we are committed to holding our elected officials accountable to invest in Black, Brown, Indigenous, and other People of Color lives, especially those that live within the intersections of being TGI. As an organization, The TransLatin@ Coalition is continuously fighting on how to best continue to do the work on behalf of our community, which includes empowering and building TGI leaders, to continue the long-legacy of advocating for TGI liberation.

Bamby Salcedo, President and CEO of The TransLatin@ Coalition says, “We are hopeful for the future. Nonetheless, as an organization, we are going to continue to fight for the liberation of our peoples by making sure that we demand our local, state and federal elected officials to invest in trans lives and to make TGI people a priority. We cannot be complacent regardless of who seats in office. We must continue to push for the social services and the empowerment that we need to change our position in our society and for our community to have a better quality of life.”

Maria Roman, Vice President and COO of The TransLatin@ Coalition added, “The lives and livelihood of Trans People across this country have been systematically attacked by policies implemented by the current administration for four years. As a Trans woman of color I am elated to see change coming. However, regardless of the outcome we were prepared to continue to advocate for our Trans, GenderNon-conforming and Intersex siblings. The work must continue... The fight for equity within our country continues. But today I celebrate change.....we celebrate.”

We look forward to fighting with you and envisioning a better world for our people beyond this election. Stay safe and continue to support and build the trans movement. 

Sending love and much appreciation to all of our siblings who are fighting to make the changes that need to happen for TGI people,

Sincerely,

The TransLatin@ Coalition

#Justice4Daniela.

*Trigger warning: This statement includes mention of graphic anti-trans violence.*

It is with sadness, pain, outrage and frustration that we share the terrible news that our dear community member, Daniela Hernandez, was brutally attacked receiving multiple stab wounds and had her throat sliced. The incident took place over the weekend on October 4th, 2020 in McArthur Park, Los Angeles. This attack continues the cycle of violence that has occured in the year 2020 alone, with over 27 murders of transgender people, especially Black trans women and trans women of color. We are filled with relief and happy that Daniela is still with us today, but outraged with the lack of respect for trans lives.

Daniela was simply walking on the street when suddenly she was brutally attacked by about four or five people. The suspects said gay slurs to Daniela as she was being attacked and apparently a woman who was with the men was the person who sliced Daniela’s throat. 

Daniela Hernandez was an integral and valued volunteer with TransLatin@ Coalition in ensuring that daily meals were provided to our community each and every day. She led with love and passion, to ensure that community was taken care of. Too often, the only safe spaces for transgender and gender non-conforming people are in trans-led community spaces, and the act of going outside or to the park can come with huge risks. This is why we fight for trans liberation, and liberation for transgender people can look as simple as walking outside without risk of harassment, discrimination or violence. It’s the everyday acts, that the ‘everyday’ person does not think twice about, that many of us wish to achieve. This is indicative of the positionality of the transgender community and is a signal of how much further we need to go in society.

The national political climate has fueled hate and bigotry, especially toward the transgender community, and it is shown through the increase of violence that has occurred over the years. Many times, our trans siblings do not make it, because those that see our lives as disposable believe they have the power of putting our lives to an end. We are dedicated to challenging hate and discrimination at all levels, against the oppressive system and in the streets in which we walk on everyday. We are sending love to our Los Angeles trans community and beyond, with a reminder to stay safe and vigilant. We must take care of one another and ensure that we are able to make it through together.

“It is unbelievable that there is no compassion for members of our community in the midst of this global pandemic. I do not get why people continue to have this kind of hate towards our community, being that our community is one of the hardest hit from this pandemic. Transphobia is rampid towards our sisters and we need to stop it now!” Said Bamby Salcedo, President and CEO of The TransLatin@ Coalition. 

Please join us in sending love and healing thoughts and prayers to Daniela as she recovers in the hospital.  If you would like to send her a card of love and blessings, you can send it to 3055 Wilshire Blvd Ste #350, LA, CA 90010 or email it to hola@translatinacoalition.org with Subject “Letter for Daniela”.

Our organization is holding a rally at McArthur Park today at 6:00 PM today in the corner of Wilshire and Alvarado to demand #Justice4Daniela please show up to demand justice for Daniela and to demand to stop the violence against our community. 

Please be safe and hope to see you there. 

--

Es con tristeza, dolor, indignación y frustración que compartimos la terrible noticia de que nuestra querida miembra de la comunidad, Daniela Hernández, fue brutalmente atacada, recibió múltiples puñaladas y le cortaron la garganta. El incidente sucedió el fin de semana, 4 de octubre de 2020 en McArthur Park, Los Ángeles. Este ataque continúa el ciclo de violencia que ha ocurrido solo en el año 2020, con más de 27 asesinatos de personas transgénero, especialmente mujeres trans negras y mujeres trans de color. Estamos llenxs de alivio de que Daniela todavía esté con nosotros hoy y que sigue luchando, pero indignadxs por la falta de respeto por las vidas trans. 

Daniela simplemente caminaba por la calle cuando de repente fue atacada brutalmente por quienes parecían ser cuatro o cinco personas. Lxs sospechosxs dijeron insultos homofóbicos a Daniela mientras la atacaban y, aparentemente, una mujer que estaba con los hombres fue la persona que le cortó la garganta a Daniela.

Daniela Hernández fue una voluntaria integral y valiosa de TransLatin @ Coalition para garantizar que se proporcionaran comidas diarias a nuestra comunidad todos los días. Ella lideró con amor y pasión, para asegurarse de que la comunidad fuera atendida. Dando razón a que los únicos espacios seguros para las personas transgénero y género no conformes son los espacios comunitarios dirigidos por personas trans, y el acto de salir al parque puede conllevar enormes riesgos. Es por eso que luchamos por la liberación trans, y la liberación de las personas transgénero. Algo tan simple como caminar afuera sin riesgo de acoso, discriminación o violencia. Son los actos cotidianos, en los que la persona "común" no piensa dos veces, los que muchos de nosotros deseamos lograr. Esto es indicativo de la posicionalidad de la comunidad transgénero y es una señal de cuánto más debemos avanzar en la sociedad.

El clima político nacional ha alimentado el odio y la intolerancia, especialmente hacia la comunidad transgénero, y se muestra a través del aumento de la violencia que se ha producido a lo largo de los años. Muchas veces, nuestrxs hermanxs trans no logran sobrevivir, porque aquellos que ven nuestras vidas como desechables creen que tienen el poder de poner fin a nuestras vidas. Estamos dedicados a desafiar el odio y la discriminación en todos los niveles, contra el sistema opresivo y en las calles en las que caminamos todos los días. Enviamos amor a nuestra comunidad trans de Los Ángeles y más allá, con un recordatorio de que se mantengan a salvo y alertxs. Debemos cuidarnos unxs a lxs otrxs y asegurarnos de poder salir adelante juntxs.

“Es increíble que no haya compasión por lxs miembrxs de nuestra comunidad en medio de esta pandemia global. No entiendo por qué la gente sigue teniendo este tipo de odio hacia nuestra comunidad, ya que nuestra comunidad es una de las más afectadas por esta pandemia. ¡La transfobia es una corre por nuestra sociedad contra nuestras hermanas y tenemos que detenerla ahora! " Dijo Bamby Salcedo, presidente y directora ejecutiva de La Coalición TransLatin@.

Únete a nosotros para enviarle amor y pensamientos sanadores y oraciones a Daniela mientras se recupera en el hospital. Si deseas enviarle una tarjeta de amor y bendiciones, puedes enviarla a 3055 Wilshire Blvd Ste # 350, LA, CA 90010 o enviarla por correo electrónico a hola@translatinacoalition.org con dirigida a “Carta para Daniela”.

Nuestra organización tendrá una acción y manifestación en McArthur Park hoy a las 6:00 p.m. en la esquina de Wilshire y Alvarado para exigir #Justice4Daniela, por favor únanse a nosotrxs para exigir justicia para Daniela y para exigir el fin de la violencia contra nuestra comunidad.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM SIGNS AB 2218, A HISTORIC TRANS HEALTH BILL IN CALIFORNIA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

09/30/2020

Contacts:

Michaé De La Cuadra

Manager of Policy and Community Engagement, TransLatin@ Coalition

michaep@translatinacoalition.org

(323) 818 - 2847

Sacramento, CA – On September 26th, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law AB 2218 - Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund, authored by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-53), which establishes the Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund within the Department of Public Health for the purposes of funding holistic health services for transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex  (TGI)  people across California. This is historic for our community and we hope creates a strong legacy of policy change to move TGI communities forward.

 Starting  January 1, 2021, California will begin the process of establishing the Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund within the Department of Public Health, which will be responsible for creating and allocating the resources for TGI-serving organizations across the state. These resources will be able to be utilized for services such as medical health programs, mental health programs, arts-based programming, and supportive housing specifically for TGI people. Although due to the pandemic, the dollar amount of $15 million attached to this bill was taken out in the legislative process, we are planning on pushing hard to ensure that these resources get to our community as soon as possible. This will be done by working in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, Assemblymember Santiago’s office, and engaging in the State Budget process next year. 

Although this effort will be ongoing, the fight for TGI equity here in California has made great strides through the passage of AB 2218.  “AB 2218 has given our community hope. In a time where the world is doing the most to tear us down, we are showing that we have power in ways to change this system and get the resources we deserve.” says Michaé De La Cuadra of the TransLatin@ Coalition, “This bill is a form of accountability to California and other states, for years of neglect of TGI people.” 

This legislative effort was led by a coalition of trans-led organizations from across the state of California, in partnership with the district representative of TransLatin@ Coalition, Miguel Santiago.

According to bill author Miguel Santiago (D-53) - “This is a critical measure for our transgender community and I thank Governor Newsom for his steadfast leadership in signing AB 2218, California’s TGI community has long faced obstacles in receiving safe, non-discriminatory, comprehensive care, and COVID-19 has exacerbated these existing health care disparities. This bill will help create programs where TGI-identified people can receive safe, competent, and inclusive health care and other social services.”

Until AB 2218, there has not been an effort to allocate resources of this magnitude to specifically support the TGI community across California, and likely the first in the nation. This bill makes history. This bill demonstrates that the TGI community is now a priority and will have access to the care and services this community has always deserved. It will increase TGI people’s health outcomes, livelihood, and the ability to survive. Especially now, in the midst of a pandemic, this bill was necessary. 

“We have seen the impact of COVID-19 on transgender communities across California,” said Ebony Ava Harper, Director of California TRANScends. “Transgender communities that were already vulnerable are further disadvantaged due to this pandemic. We are in a state of emergency and AB 2218 is here at the right time. It’s time that California leads by example and shows the federal administration that transgender health equity is a priority in the State of California.”

“AB-2218 constitutes a historic investment in the TGI community,” said Alex Binsfeld, Legal Director at the Transgender, Gender-Variant, and Intersex Justice Project, “though the effort continues to allocate resources to this fund, during a time when TGI competent healthcare is more urgently needed than ever.”

Despite the strong opposition from right-wing, religious, and conservative groups across the country, TGI leaders from across the state worked tirelessly to educate and urge California legislators to vote in the direction of TGI liberation. In the eyes of a transphobic national political climate, this bill shows that TGI people matter and will stand up in the face of discrimination.  

“In a time where the current federal administration is pushing to roll back all trans rights, AB 2218 represents a beacon of light for transgender and gender nonconforming people like myself across California.” Says Khloe Rios-Wyatt, Executive Director of Alianza Translatinx in Orange County.

AB2218 is a signal of hope and more, it is life-saving. TGI people and TGI-serving organizations have fed, housed and protected their own community for centuries, it was about time the state government got on board.

"AB2218 will save lives!  When TGI people have resources, we're able to step into our fullest potential and uplift ourselves and each other.  This bill plays a crucial role in making sure that our community does not get left behind. Especially, given that we are in the midst of a global pandemic that disproportionately impacts TGI people.  We are grateful to see Governor Newsom sign this bill into law and hope that this has a cascading effect and other states follow his leadership.  We will continue to fight and advocate for our community because we know our struggle for liberation goes beyond this victory." Says Ezak Perez, Executive Director of Gender Justice LA. 

This fund will support the creation of resources and help sustain already-existing services that the TGI community relies on across the state, in rural and urban areas, such as San Francisco and beyond.

"Here in San Francisco, we recognize the importance of dedicating resources so that our communities can develop their own solutions that address systematic inequalities, that is why we are so proud to support the #InvestInTransLives coalition to create the Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund," said Maceo Persson, Director of Communications and External Affairs for the San Francisco Office of Transgender Initiatives. "Everyone deserves to have access to healthcare and wellness programs that respect who they are, and that is why we invest over $5 million for trans-specific programs. We are thankful that California is showing leadership in assuring that TGI people have access to lifesaving care across the state."

The support extended beyond the legislature and among the community as well. This effort was supported by TGI community members throughout the process, many of whom are clients of the participating organizations. From calls to legislators, letters of support, and actions at the Capitol, this was truly a community-led effort.

"There aren’t many organizations in California that do the critical work that a transgender serving organization can do and that is to reach our community in a way that no other cisgender organization can do. We need equity and it starts with the passing and signing of AB-2218 into California law. We hope and urge our community will step out and show up for future policy endeavors to strengthen our folks to thrive," said Nghia Nguyen, Community Advocacy and Mobilization Coordinator of the Gender Health Center in Sacramento.

AB 2218’s passage is a crucial step to ensuring that TGI people reach health, wellness, and equity in California and beyond. We thank the Governor for his investment in TGI lives.

“Our organization is honored to have led the work and partnered with amazing TGI leaders across the state,” says Bamby Salcedo President/CEO of The TransLatin@ Coalition. “As TGI people it's important that we understand our political power and our political influence, and AB-2218 is a sign of the immense possibilities that we can accomplish as a community.”

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Activists place thousands of flowers outside of California State Capitol in an effort to pass Trans Health Care Bill

 For Immediate Release — September 14th, 2020 The #GiveUsOurRoses Action brings together trans advocates from across the state of California to push for the passage of AB2218 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Yessica Gonzalez | (323) 379-2032 | yessicag@translatinacoalition.org

SACRAMENTO, CA — Outside of the California State Capitol, activists from across the state of California arrange thousands of flowers and art donated by the community, an action intended to put pressure on Governor Newsom to sign AB2218 into law, the Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund.

AB2218 (Santiago) is a bill currently on the Governor’s Desk that, if signed, would create a Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund within the CA Department of Public Health for the purposes of funding holistic health services for transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex (TGI) people. 

Sacramento resident and trans activist, Ebony Ava Harper says “We are starting to see the impact of COVID-19 in transgender communities across the State of California. Transgender communities across the state that were already vulnerable are further disadvantaged due to this pandemic. We are in a state of emergency, and AB2218 is here at the right time! Assembly Bill 2218 would allow health officials to support a community struggling to respond to such a massive threat with little to no resources. California has always led the fight for transgender equality. It's time we lead by example and show this Administration that transgender health equity is a priority in the Great State of California.”

If signed into law, AB 2218 would be the first of its kind across the nation that specifically allocates funding for TGI people.

 Michae De La Cuadra of the TransLatin@ Coalition says, ““This bill is a form of accountability to California and other states, for years of neglect on TGI people. For years we have been erased,  discriminated against, and underestimated. But now, with AB 2218, we show that we have power and we can create policies that give us access to resources that we deserve. We know that it won’t stop here and we will continue to push until we reach justice and equity.”

On September 16th, 2020 at 8 AM advocates of AB2218 will gather at the capitol to show that California must #InvestInTransLives.

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TRANSGENDER WOMEN PLEAD TO BE RELEASED FROM ICE CUSTODY, AFTER POSITIVE EXPOSURE TO COVID-19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

DATE: Friday, April 3, 2020

CONTACT:

Yessica Gonzalez Rodriguez, The TransLatin@ Coalition, (323)379-2032 or yessicag@translatinacoalition.org

Bamby Salcedo, The TransLatin@ Coalition, (818) 983-4194 or bambys@translatinacoalition.org

TRANSGENDER WOMEN PLEAD TO BE RELEASED FROM ICE CUSTODY, AFTER POSITIVE EXPOSURE TO COVID-19 

As many people around the globe celebrated Transgender Day of Visibility earlier this week, a group of transgender women recorded a video while in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Custody pleading not to be forgotten amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. The four women seen in the video are holding signs that read, “WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE LIVING CONDITIONS AT AURORA DETENTION. [IT] IS IN BAD CONDITION,” “WE NEED OUR FREEDOM, WE ARE IMMIGRANTS AT AURORA DETENTION,” “HELP US WE NEED OUR FREEDOM.” 

Inside of the privately-owned Aurora Detention Center in Aurora, Colorado, Kelly Gonzalez Aguilar is speaking into a makeshift microphone saying, “We are a group of transgender women detained by ICE. This is a call for our government officials to understand that we are being exposed to diseases during this coronavirus pandemic. It is a call to them to know that we are human beings and we are concerned about this time bomb that is attacking humanity. We have no way of protecting ourselves! We are in bad condition! And we must be heard!” 

Kelly Gonzalez Aguilar is a transgender asylum seeker who has been in ICE custody for more than two years despite her eligibility for release on parole. Because of her gender identity, Kelly has experienced relentless violence and abuse since she was a child in Honduras. Her experience in ICE custody is a continuation of the abuse she attempted to escape from when she sought refuge in the United States. In the 900 days she has been detained, Kelly has been subjected to prolonged solitary confinement, three different transfers, and her physical and mental wellbeing get significantly impacted as she has been diagnosed pre-diabetic due to detention condition. For Kelly and other transgender immigrants in custody, every additional day in ICE custody brings with it the risk of added harm and abuses. 

Since the possible exposure to COVID-19 on March 17,  there are a number of confirmed cases of coronavirus and approximately 40 people who are quarantined due to possible exposure. “We need to make sure that our trans sisters who are caged in immigration detention and are the most vulnerable who do not have the ability to protect themselves are released,” says Bamby Salcedo President and CEO of The TransLatin@ Coalition.

This plea from transgender women inside detention is a long overdue demand to #FreeThemAll and #EndTransDetention. We must not wait until the government has another death on their hands to take action. Transgender people are suffering and deserve a fighting chance to survive outside of confinement and lock-up. 

###  

Find the link to the video HERE

Link to the Petition for Kelly that has over 6,000 signatures

This video joins a national call to #FreeThemAll where other immigrants inside of ICE Custody are also pleading for their immediate release. 

Original video transcription:

Somos un grupo de mujeres transgenero detenidas por ICE y este es un llamado para nuestros funcionarios del gobierno que tomen conciencia De que estamos expuestas a enfermedades a esta pandemia nueva que se presenta que es el corona virus Y es un llamado para que sepan que nosotras también somos seres humanos y que estamos preocupadas por esta bomba de tiempo que nos está atacando a la humanidad. Y no tenemos manera de cómo prevenirnos estamos en malas condiciones y debemos ser escuchadas.

PRESS RELEASE: Video Press Conference on the Impact of COVID-19 on the Transgender Community featuring California Trans Advocates

**MEDIA ADVISORY**

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 31st, 2020

CONTACT: Michae De La Cuadra, Manager of Policy and Community Engagement

The TransLatin@ Coalition

(323) 818-2847

michaep@translatinacoalition.org

THURSDAY: Video Press Conference on the Impact of COVID-19 on the Transgender Community featuring California  Trans Advocates

 Bamby Salcedo, Michaé De La Cuadra, Janetta Johnson,  Ebony Ava Harper, Thomi Clinton, and Prizila Dajia Vidal

Governor Newsom has yet to address the significant needs of transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex (TGI) people in the midst of COVID-19. TGI people are being disproportionately  affected by coronavirus and the direct support of community based organizations is what is keeping them alive. TGI people face significant barriers in accessing housing, employment, and healthcare, all of which have been exacerbated by the pandemic, which calls for immediate action. TGI people who are being held in jails, prisons, and detention settings now not only face the risk of physical and sexual violence, but the risk of becoming terminally ill as well. In this press conference, community advocates from across California will discuss the issues being faced in their localities and how they are responding to COVID-19, while pushing for recommendations for CA state government to take action. 

WHEN: Thursday, April 2nd from 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon. Pacific Time 

WHERE: Members of the press can register for this GotoWebinar press conference here.

FEATURING

• Bamby Salcedo, President/CEO, The TransLatin@ Coalition

• Michae De La Cuadra, Manager of Policy & Community Engagement, The TransLatin@ Coalition

• Ebony Ava Harper, California TRANScends

• Thomi Clinton, Executive Director, Transgender Health and Wellness Center

• Janetta Johnson, Executive Director, Transgender, Gender Variant, & Intersex Justice Project

• Prizila Dajia Vidal, Community Activist, San Diego

On Monday, March 23rd, 2020, in response to the grave threat that COVID-19 presents to the TGI community on the ground, trans-led organizations drafted and sent a letter to Governor Newsom’s office and related state departments outlining the specific issues being faced by TGI people, the barriers encountered, and the discrimination that continues despite a pandemic. Over 50+ organizations signed on and called for trans-specific emergency funding streams, emergency housing. financial assistance for unemployed TGI people, the release of TGI people imprisoned at risk for contracting COVID-19, among other necessary actions. As the state prepares and rapidly responds to the growing pandemic, it is crucial to ensure that all communities are included in emergency planning and responses. The infrastructure for supporting the TGI community has not existed and has only been further revealed in this moment.

All presenters will speak on the struggles being faced by the community now and how we can work to address those needs across the state. 

We are reacting to the lack of inclusion and urgency to the needs of the TGI community and we are asking the state to respond.

If you are interested in attending please register here.

Trans People Deserve to Live! TransLatin@ Coalition Drops A Banner at the 6th Game of the World Series.

LOS ANGELES — On Sunday October 28, 2018 we showed the world that trans people will continue to reclaim space in places where we have been excluded. TransLatin@ Coalition dropped a banner reading, “Trans People Deserve to Live” at the Dodgers vs. Red Sox World Series game and were immediately escorted out of the stadium, but our message still reached many. We have been marginalized in all aspects of society for far too long and it has caused our people to experience severe hardships in our lives, as well as lose our lives without justice.

Embed from Getty Images

During a week of bad news and transphobia perpetuated by the Trump administration we felt that it was extremely important now more than ever to be visible to the world. Trans people will not return to the shadows and remain hidden while our communities are under attack. We will not be erased and we deserve to live!

This country is rooted in white-supremacy, transphobia, anti-blackness, and many other ideologies that harm our people. Let us not forget that even the Dodgers Stadium itself  has a long history of violence as it displaced and harmed many Chicanx people living in Chavez Ravine as the stadium was created.

To our trans, gender non-conforming, and intersex people, we will continue to fight for your livelihood and we will not be complicit in times of injustice. Political leaders have always targeted us and they have never come to our rescue. Our communities will be the ones leading the fight toward our liberation and we will not stop until all of us are free!

STAY STRONG! These attacks on our communities are creating generational trauma and meant to destroy and disempower our communities for years to come. We urge our supporters, friends, and familia to stay engaged and speak out against these injustices. Trans people have historically fought for your rights and we hope you will do the same for all of us to better the livelihood of trans people and our positionality in our society.