Trans Pride is set to return to the Washington, D.C. area May 19 and 20, 2023. Planning for this year’s program is underway, led by community members who were once a part of a local Pride organization and are now looking to branch out on their own to create a stand-alone program for the trans, non-binary, and gender expansive communities in the D.C. area.
“We are so excited to bring Trans Pride back to the D.C. area,” said Bianca Rey, lead organizer of the planning committee. “For many years this has been an important event in our community that focuses specifically on the trans, non-binary, and gender expansive communities. We hope by bringing it back as an independent event we can expand our reach into the community and grow future programs.”
Rey, born and raised in the Philippines, first moved to the D.C. metro area with her family in 1998. Over the last 10 years she has been heavily involved in the LGBTQIA+ community. She was the first trans woman to be elected as co-chair of Asian and Pacific Islander Queers United for Action (AQUA-DC), currently serves on the board of Equality Virginia, and is involved in the organization’s Transgender Advocacy Speakers Bureau.
This year’s Trans Pride event continues to be free for attendees and will feature a welcome reception on Friday, May 19 and an all-day summit on Saturday, May 20. The day-long affair will include workshops, panel discussions, a resource fair featuring local and national organizations, lunch and refreshments for attendees, and other activities focused on the trans community.
Trans Pride in the D.C. area was originally founded by local trans activist and community leader, SaVanna Wanzer. This year’s organizers hope to live up to her legacy.
“SaVanna has been such an important mentor of mine and it’s an honor to continue her vision of creating a learning, gathering, and networking space specifically with trans people in mind,” said Rey. “We want to involve and engage as many trans, non-binary, and gender expansive community members as possible so that we can continue to build on the groundwork that has been laid before us.”
In honor of Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, event planners also plan to host a virtual event as a lead up to this year’s Trans Pride program. Rey says her goal is to create a non-profit organization that will create trans-centered programming year-round and be another resource for the D.C. area’s trans, non-binary, and gender expansive communities.
For more information on Trans Pride Washington, D.C. and to get involved visit www.transpridewashingtondc.org.
