Many of Capitol Hill’s transgender residents and allies have been part of Pride through the years. Friday night, a renewed spirit powered the inaugural Trans* Pride, the first transgender-focused event to be part of Seattle’s annual celebration of LGBTQ in more than a decade.
Hundreds rallied at Seattle Central before a short march to a warm and late evening sun-bathed Cal Anderson park for speeches, music and celebration — and hugs and kisses.
Sponsored by the Gender Justice League and a roster of Capitol Hill and beyond LGBTQ organizations and businesses, the event drew transgender, gender non-conforming and intersex people from around the region and their families, friends, loved ones and supporters.
Messages from speakers and performers were varied Friday night including personal stories of overcoming barriers to work that must be done to help the trans* community at a legislative level. Marchers carried signs calling for acceptance from workplace equality to better inclusion in the greater LGBTQ community to health care issues. Some signs also allowed loved ones to show their support publicly friends and family. One sign performed a more logistical function transforming Cal Anderson’s park bathroom, temporarily, into a “Gender Neutral” facility.
Saturday’s itinerary is chock full of more ways to be part of Pride on Capitol Hill — Pride Saturday Reminders: Family Day, Broadway street festival, Dyke March & more. You can find all of CHS’s Pride 2013 coverage here. More Trans* Pride pictures, below.