Zion Johnson and Cecilia Chung, party organizers, with Pride Trans Stage coordinator Shawna Virago at the Trans Pride BBQ Fund Riaser at the Castro Country Club on April 30. The event was a big success towards helping cover Trans Stage at Pride costs

SF TEAM (Transgender Empowerment, Advocacy, and Mentorship) threw a kick-off barbecue party for Trans Pride on April 30 at the Castro Country Club to discuss upcoming events. With the great success of last year’s Trans March, which saw over 3,000 participants, the trans community is setting a new standard. Trans Pride is currently made up of three events during Pride week: Trans Pride Awards on June 20, the annual Trans March on June 24, and the first ever Trans Stage and Transgender Pavilion on Pride Sunday, June 25.

“The months of May and June are going to be really busy for the trans community,” said Cecilia Chung of TEAM. She announced that AB 1586, an insurance bill for transgender coverage, was going to the state assembly for a hearing. She said the jury selection for transgender Gwen Araujo’s murder trial will begin May 9. She said a transgender health conference on HIV prevention and care will be held May 17 through 19. “This is the first time a statewide effort will be made to have a trans health conference,” said Chung. She said on June 20, the second annual Trans Pride Awards ceremony will occur at the LGBT Community Center, where three different awards will be given to a trans individual, an organization, and an ally. “As you see, our community has come a long way and is getting support from outside our community,” she said. Chung also reminded everyone of the annual Day of Remembrance on November 20, remembering all the transgender people who have been killed because of hate violence.

“Pride is happy and thrilled to be involved with the Trans Pride Event again this year,” Pride Board President Joey Cain told Bay Times. “We are looking forward to the Friday night before the weekend, starting at seven in the evening with the Trans March. I hope everyone can come out for it and support the community.”

Gwendolyn Ann Smith gave an update on the Araujo trial, saying, “We will have the same deputy attorney, Chris Romero, and Judge Shepard will be presiding again. The only difference is with the defense attorneys, where one has been changed out.” Smith said she was concerned because there have been indications that the next defense attorney intends to sensationalize the story. “Listen to the media, and if you see things you don’t like out there, talk back and be active,” Smith urged. Theresa Sparks of the Police Commission told Bay Times, “The last trial was a miscarriage of justice, and it was very unfortunate the individuals were not convicted last time; I am hopeful they will be convicted this time.” Sparks said she was glad to see more transgender pride in the trans community and looked forward to the awards ceremony, the march, and the stage.

Shawna Virago told Bay Times she was excited to be coordinating the Trans Pride Stage. She said, “This will be a day to remember who we are, how far we have come, and an opportunity to celebrate ourselves through our music and our art and our spoken word by our local trans artists and bands.” She said they will be bringing in performers from out of town, such as the Bionic Chicks from L.A., as well as Lipstick Conspiracy, MC Catastrophe, and her band, which has changed its name to “The Viragos.” She said Veronica Klaus wanted to sing, but she will be doing a gig at Seattle Pride that weekend.

“Today is an important event to support the efforts for Trans Pride and to help move our community forward in terms of recognition that we exist and we will continue to advocate for equality under the law and equal access to services,” said Jo Anne Keatley, director of the Trans Project and co-chair of SF TEAM. “We have had a really great turnout this afternoon, and I’m pleased to see so many of us come together to support this great effort.” Regarding the Araujo case, she said, “I hope the outcome of this next trial is very different than the first one, and I expect we will see justice.” She added, “It’s sad that we have to deal with this as a community, but I’m hoping awareness is raised so that other trans adolescents are not subjected to that type of violence. We all are deserving of dignity and safety in our society.”

“This is going to be an emotional roller coaster for most of us in the community during the next few months,” said Chung. “We hope members of the trans community can tell their friends and allies what is happening and how important it is for us to come together and participate, so we can help educate and advocate.”