Transgéneros Unidas Gives Transgender Women Freedom
- Kimberly Silverio Bautist
- May 7, 2019
- 2 min read
NORTHRIDGE, CA – Unity, trust, and a supportive environment is what Transgenero Unidas gives transgender women immigrating from Mexico and other Latin American countries. Many of them run from abuse, harassment, and trauma.
Every Thursday afternoon they gather in the city of Long Beach to discuss about experiences that have personally impacted them. Before immigrating to the U.S., some of them faced police harassment from Mexican authorities. They've demand a transgender women to perform sexual activities and molestation. According to the LA Times, 35-year-old Leslie Salas from Juarez, México experienced it. Authorities would detained Salas and other transgender women without probable cause and demanded them money and oral sex in order to be released.
Many of these women immigrate to the United States to seek asylum and protected like Salas. They feel the United States protects them from the challenges they face back in their country. The U.S. lets them be themselves, respected, and treated equally. It's more open about the transgender community and have moral support. In an interview with the LA Times Adrianna Devechie said, "Things are a bit more open here, more tolerate.
Khole Rios the transgender program manager from Bienestar human resources is looking to expand her offices in Long Beach. The response from the transgender community has been amazing. Rios said the offices are tiny and it's challenging to provide services for them. She hopes to look for a bigger location to support the transgender community and give them the quality she can.
The support group was initiated by Bienestar, a non-profit bringing awareness of the LGBTQ community and Latino health issues. It started in 1997 in Hollywood. Since then, chapters have expanded in Southern California. They are located in the city of El Monte, San Fernando Valley, South L.A., and Hollywood.
By Kimberly Silverio-Bautista
Contributions from LA Times, Bienestar, and Herald Mail Media
Photo Credit: LA Times
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