Dear Center Community,
My name is Gael Urquia (they/he), Project TRANS Case Manager and Peer Support Advocate at The Center. August is Transgender History Month, and I’m excited to invite you to The Center’s Transgender History Month Celebration on August 28 from 4-5pm at The Center, where we will honor our trans and nonbinary community together!
Transgender History Month was first recognized in 2021, when San Francisco designated August to honor the history and resilience of the trans community. The California State Legislature then voted to establish Transgender History Month in California, starting in 2024. August was chosen to commemorate the Compton’s Cafeteria riot in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District in August 1966, when Black and brown trans women and drag queens led a resistance against discrimination and police violence, preceding the 1969 Stonewall riot.
We are proud to honor this legacy and continue celebrating Transgender History Month by hosting our Transgender History Month Celebration on Thursday, August 28. This event is an opportunity to uplift the history of our trans and nonbinary community, including the trailblazers who paved the way for us, as well as bring together the people in our community today who need unity, joy, and support.
Together, we will reflect on our shared history, celebrate resilience, and create space for connection, empowerment, and authentic self-expression.
This celebration is especially meaningful in the current political climate, where trans and nonbinary people’s rights are being directly targeted by the Trump administration and anti-trans legislation across the country. These attacks are not merely symbolic but have real and severe impacts on our community. As a trans person myself and a member of The Center’s team supporting transgender and nonbinary community members, I see firsthand how anti-trans rhetoric and policies negatively affect the wellbeing of those around me.
Every trans and nonbinary person, from our youth to our elders, deserves a space to be themselves, to connect with others, and to feel valued and supported. At The Center, we are committed to creating that space, and our celebration on August 28 is a reflection of that commitment.
We are thrilled to offer a gathering at our Transgender History Month Celebration where community, joy, and support intersect—a moment to come together authentically, honor our history, and celebrate the vibrancy of our community. You can join us in this shared space by RSVPing on our website.
We can’t wait to create joy today and to envision a future where every trans and nonbinary person can thrive.
In community,
Gael Urquia (they/he)
Project TRANS Case Manager and Peer Support Advocate