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LGBTQ Center OC to honor and celebrate Transgender History in Orange County

Santa Ana, CA- The LGBTQ Center OC and transgender community groups celebrate Orange County transgender lives and history with a week of activities beginning on Friday, November 14th through Thursday, November 20th. The activities include Transgender Day of Remembrance and the launch of Trans*itions, Orange County’s first and only comprehensive transgender health and wellness program.

Orange County’s rich transgender history dates back to the early 1950’s, when Orange County resident Christine Jorgensen became nationally known by undergoing gender reassignment surgery. She endured years of torment and was lauded as an early pioneer of transgender awareness.

Transgender Awareness Week will kick off on Friday, November 14th at 12:00pm with the launch and ribbon cutting ceremony for Trans*itions Transgender Health and Wellness Program at the LGBTQ Center OC, 1605 N. Spurgeon St., Santa Ana, CA 92701. This ground breaking program is a collaboration between the LGBTQ Center OC, Advantage Health Care Services, Metamorphosis Medical Center, and other community partners. The goal of Trans*istions is to provide trans-educated and trans-affirming health and wellness programs. Trans*itions will serve as a teaching environment for other Orange County providers that wish to be more trans* affirming.

The week will culminate with Transgender Day of Remembrance at French Plaza, 321 E. 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701 at 6:00pm on Thursday, November 20th to honor transgender victims of violence. The day acts to bring attention to the continued violence endured by the transgender community. It is observed worldwide. In our Orange County community, violence claimed the life of a beloved local transgender activist, Zoraida Reyes, who was found murdered in Anaheim, CA on June 12, 2014. The murder of Zoraida is a tragic reminder to the Orange County community that acts of violence against transgender individuals remain close to home.

For more info and schedule of events: www.lgbtqcenteroc.org/events

 

Written with contributions from Tony Viramontes and Laura Kanter.