**MEDIA ADVISORY**
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 31st, 2020
CONTACT: Michae De La Cuadra, Manager of Policy and Community Engagement
The TransLatin@ Coalition
(323) 818-2847
michaep@translatinacoalition.org
THURSDAY: Video Press Conference on the Impact of COVID-19 on the Transgender Community featuring California Trans Advocates
Bamby Salcedo, Michaé De La Cuadra, Janetta Johnson, Ebony Ava Harper, Thomi Clinton, and Prizila Dajia Vidal
Governor Newsom has yet to address the significant needs of transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex (TGI) people in the midst of COVID-19. TGI people are being disproportionately affected by coronavirus and the direct support of community based organizations is what is keeping them alive. TGI people face significant barriers in accessing housing, employment, and healthcare, all of which have been exacerbated by the pandemic, which calls for immediate action. TGI people who are being held in jails, prisons, and detention settings now not only face the risk of physical and sexual violence, but the risk of becoming terminally ill as well. In this press conference, community advocates from across California will discuss the issues being faced in their localities and how they are responding to COVID-19, while pushing for recommendations for CA state government to take action.
WHEN: Thursday, April 2nd from 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon. Pacific Time
WHERE: Members of the press can register for this GotoWebinar press conference here.
FEATURING
Bamby Salcedo, President/CEO, The TransLatin@ Coalition
Michae De La Cuadra, Manager of Policy & Community Engagement, The TransLatin@ Coalition
Ebony Ava Harper, California TRANScends
Thomi Clinton, Executive Director, Transgender Health and Wellness Center
Janetta Johnson, Executive Director, Transgender, Gender Variant, & Intersex Justice Project
Prizila Dajia Vidal, Community Activist, San Diego
On Monday, March 23rd, 2020, in response to the grave threat that COVID-19 presents to the TGI community on the ground, trans-led organizations drafted and sent a letter to Governor Newsom’s office and related state departments outlining the specific issues being faced by TGI people, the barriers encountered, and the discrimination that continues despite a pandemic. Over 50+ organizations signed on and called for trans-specific emergency funding streams, emergency housing. financial assistance for unemployed TGI people, the release of TGI people imprisoned at risk for contracting COVID-19, among other necessary actions. As the state prepares and rapidly responds to the growing pandemic, it is crucial to ensure that all communities are included in emergency planning and responses. The infrastructure for supporting the TGI community has not existed and has only been further revealed in this moment.
All presenters will speak on the struggles being faced by the community now and how we can work to address those needs across the state.
We are reacting to the lack of inclusion and urgency to the needs of the TGI community and we are asking the state to respond.
If you are interested in attending please register here.