This is Phoenix Schneider (he/him), Senior Director of Programs at The Center, and I’m proud to celebrate Trans History Month in August with some exciting announcements! Trans History Month is a time to honor the resilience, leadership, and contributions of transgender and gender-diverse people whose courage has shaped our communities and movements. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the people who are making history right now through their advocacy, service, and commitment to uplifting others.
This year, I am thrilled to recognize Pamuela Halliwell (she/her), Director of Behavioral Health Services, whose leadership continues to make a profound impact at The Center and throughout San Diego. Pam is a former president of San Diego Black LGBT Coalition, now known as San Diego Black Pride, and was honored with both the Julia Legaspi Trans Leadership Stonewall Award and the LGBTQ+ Leader of Influence Award this year, well-deserved recognitions that reflect her dedication to advancing equity, affirming care, and opportunity for our community.
Pam’s compassion, vision, and unwavering commitment remind us what authentic leadership looks like and inspire all of us to continue the work of building a more inclusive future.
As we celebrate leaders like Pam, we also recognize the enduring impact of Project TRANS at The Center, which has served transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse community members for more than a decade. Through case management, peer support, referrals, community-building, and advocacy, Project TRANS has become a trusted resource for individuals navigating their journeys and seeking connection.
With every successful program comes people whose care and dedication help it thrive. We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Gael Urquia (they/he), Project TRANS case manager and peer support advocate, who is pursuing new opportunities and is no longer with The Center. Gael made meaningful contributions to Project TRANS and supported community members with compassion, professionalism, and care. We are deeply appreciative of the impact he made and wish him continued success in his next chapter.
At the same time, we are excited to welcome Brookelynn Maddox (they/them) as the new Project TRANS Program Manager. New leadership brings new energy, fresh perspectives, and opportunities to imagine what is possible. We look forward to seeing Brookelynn build on Project TRANS’s strong foundation while helping shape its next decade of service and growth alongside our community.
Trans History Month is not only about reflecting on the past; it is also about actively creating the future together. Whether you are looking for support, connection, community, or a chance to give back, we invite you to get involved with Project TRANS this month. Attend a program, participate in a community event, share your ideas, and help us continue strengthening this vital space.
We are also recruiting new members for the Project TRANS Community Advisory Committee, a group that helps guide program priorities, provide feedback, and ensure Project TRANS remains responsive to community needs. If you are passionate about supporting and advancing trans and gender-diverse communities, we encourage you to join us. Visit our website at https://thecentersd.org/cac/ for more information.
Today and always, we honor the history that brought us here, celebrate the leaders who light the way forward, and continue building a future where every trans person can thrive. We hope you will be part of it.
In community,
Phoenix Schneider (he/him)
Senior Director of Programs