TRANS DAY OF VISIBILITY
On Tuesday, March 31, community members gathered at the corner of Castro and El Camino Real in Mountain View to mark Trans Day of Visibility with a public show of presence, solidarity, and community. Even in the cold and intermittent rain, people came out to stand together. Participants lined El Camino Real with signs, creating a visible, peaceful demonstration that engaged passing traffic and made it clear that trans people are part of this community and belong here.
As the crowd grew, we transitioned into a rally in Gateway Plaza. Music brought people together: first from the Mitchell Park Band and the Raging Grannies, followed by a performance by Lady Adjacent. Speakers included Mountain View Mayor Emily Ann Ramos, Reverend Tom Harris of the First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto, Chair of the Santa Clara County Chapter of ACLU Victor Sin, CEO of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte Stacy Cross, community activist Jennifer DiBrienza, trans activist Kassie, and community member Cora. They described trans experience and addressed the urgency of the moment.
You can watch the rally and read the coverage in Mountain View Voice.
Music, protest, and real connection between people of all ages and backgrounds affirmed a shared principle: trans rights are human rights, and standing up for one of us is standing up for all of us.
Support & Action for Trans Communities
Local Support
Q Corner
2SLGBTQIA+ Wellness Center, offering peer connection, resources, & trainings
https://bhscd.santaclaracounty.gov/q-corner
TransFamilies of Santa Cruz County & Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley transfamiliesca.org community of parents and families together making the world a safer and happier place for gender diverse children through education, parent-to-parent support, and advocacy
https://transfamiliesca.org
Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center
Building community and social connection through discussions, leadership groups, and diverse activities for LGBTQ+ people and allies
https://defrankcenter.org
Youth Space
Safe and supportive environment for queer and trans youth, where they are the leaders and key decision makers
https://youthspace.org
Outlet
Support services, leadership training, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth ages 13–18 in the Peninsula and South Bay
https://www.acs-teens.org/what-we-do/outlet/
Rainbow Families Bay Area
Parent-run group, creating a community to support our transgender and gender diverse kids
https://rainbowfamiliesbayarea.org
Note: Planned Parenthood Mar Monte is proud to now offer gender-affirming hormone therapy at all 35 health centers
Take Action
Call Your Representatives
Oppose bans on gender-affirming care:
5calls.org/issue/trans-rights-gender-affirming-care-bans
Show Up Locally
- Offer practical support to friends & neighbors
- Speak up for trans kids & students
- Help your workplace become more inclusive
- Support trans-led organizations, like South Bay Queer Solidarity
- Host a trans movie community screening
- Testify for trans rights in front of state legislatures, school boards, city councils
- Encourage your local library to set up a trans literature display
- Advocate for local candidates who support human rights, e.g., baymec.org
Know Your Rights
ACLU of Northern California
aclunc.org
Transgender Law Center
transgenderlawcenter.org
Lambda Legal
lambdalegal.org
Crisis & Peer Support
The Trevor Project (24/7)
Call 1-866-488-7386
thetrevorproject.org
Trans Lifeline (peer support)
Call 877-565-8860
translifeline.org
Life Moves – New Haven Inn
650-533-9299
A referral-only inclusive homeless shelter in San Jose with focused LGBTQ+ support
lifemoves.org/directory/new-haven-inn
VHHP Clinic
Safe place for transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse people experiencing homelessness in Santa Clara County
tinyurl.com/vhhp-clinic
Gender Affirming Care Clinic (GACC)
Provides outpatient behavioral health services in Santa Clara County to those who have Medi-Cal or are uninsured
bhsd.santaclaracounty.gov/gender-affirming-care-clinic-gacc
Join us to stand up for dignity, safety, and belonging.