New Pride march focuses on trans people of color

June 14, 2019 11:59 pm

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Marching for the marginalized: that’s the mission of Providence’s first annual march focusing on trans people of color.

“Sometimes I feel like trans people of color are really ignored in the community, and pushed to the side,” said Gabriel Alvarez of Providence. “Like all of our issues are pushed to the side.”

The grassroots event celebrated growing acceptance of LGBTQ people, but emphasized the challenges many in the community still face.

“There has been tremendous progress,” said Adrian Gaston Garcia of Washington, D.C. “But when you look at black and brown communities, especially trans communities, and the average life expectancy of a black trans woman is 35 years old. That really makes me want to be here and share with the community and say, ‘We have your back.'”

That’s why allies say they came to show their support.

“If we can’t have empathy for those who don’t look like them, aren’t necessarily like them, then we can sort of be bludgeoned off one identity group at a time,” said Ralph Patrick of Providence. “And that’s dangerous.”

But for many at the event, it was a chance to reclaim spaces and feel included.

“I often walk into spaces and I don’t see anybody like me,” said Hana Kodayama of Oakland, California. “And I walked into this little corner of this park and I was like, ‘Oh, I’m safe.'”

They say that spirit of inclusion and understanding should extend beyond pride month.

“We just need to be treated like regular human beings, like everyone else,” said Desiree Reels of Cranston. “We’re very grateful for the month we do have, but we need to be celebrating this all year long. Every day. Every year.”