GAVIN GRIMM TO SPEAK AT CAPITAL TRANS PRIDE

Annual Event Celebrates the Transgender Community in the National Capital Region

Washington, D.C., May 8, 2017 – Capital Trans Pride will take place on Saturday, May 20, at Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005, from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. This annual event brings together members of the transgender community, allies, colleagues, and friends for a day of workshops and panel discussions on a variety of issues important to the Trans community. The day provides multiple forums to educate and inform participants on areas of progress and lost ground in the region and in the nation, and will include guest speaker Gavin Grimm. Capital Pride Engendered Spirit recipients Dr. Stacy Karpen and Hayden Mora will also be recognized. The Resource Fair includes participation by more than 25 organizations that provide services and opportunities to the Trans community.

Gavin Grimm, a transgender male student at Gloucester High School, who graduates this year, brought suit against the local Virginia school board for the right to use the bathroom of his choice. Grimm was thrust into the national spotlight and has galvanized the LGBT community and many allies in pursuit of transgender rights.

Hayden Mora is a political campaign activist, a founding member of Trans United, and an advocate for LGBTQ minorities and immigrants. He will be recognized at Capital Trans Pride for his advocacy work, which has led to him to being named one of Capital Trans Pride’s 2017 Engendered Spirits, individuals who have made significant contributions to the transgender community.

Dr. Stacy Karpen is a clinician and researcher focused on the application of cultural humility in domestic and international settings with populations affected by HIV/AIDS and transgender children and adults. This critical work has led Dr. Karpen to be named one of Capital Trans Pride’s 2017 Engendered Spirits.  Both Mora and Dr. Karpen will also be honored at the Capital Pride Alliance’s annual Heroes Gala on May 13.

“Capital Trans Pride brings together the community for both a celebration and to share important information that has the potential to change the lives of those who attend,” said Bianca Rey, Executive Producer of Capital Trans Pride. “We’ve made significant progress regarding visibility, empowerment, and rights, but now more than ever, we must all continue to work to secure full equality.”

Confirmed workshops for Capital Trans Pride include, “Identity Documents and Name Changes,” “Safer Sex for Trans Bodies,” “Genderqueer 101,” “Understanding the Trans Attracted Man,” and “Resume Building in English and Spanish” led by Booz Allen Hamilton. There will be a total of nine workshops throughout the day.

Since its inception in 2008, the Capital Pride Alliance has been involved in the production of Capital Trans Pride. Capital Trans Pride is generously co-sponsored by Whitman-Walker Health and Booz Allen Hamilton. Additional sponsors include Marriott International, Kaiser Permanente, The DC Office of Human Rights, La Clinica Del Pueblo-Empoderate Center, Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC, SMYAL, Alternative Health Associates, and Booz Allen Hamilton.