October 20, 2016
Host Committee Member Kelly Osbourne Does PSA for TransNation Festival
Winnie McCroy READ TIME: 3 MIN.
From October 20-23 in Los Angeles, the TransNation Festival comes together to honor the trans experience through film, art, beauty and cultural achievements in support of transgender health, welfare and human rights.
Kelly Osbourne recently joined the host committee for the first annual�TransNation Festival, and she recorded a PSA for the event.
The transgender movement is making headlines and, in the past couple of years, we have seen an increasing number of trans people at the center of popular culture. During this moment in time heralded as the transgender tipping point, discussion of the trans experience and transgender rights is entering mainstream discourse more than ever. �
Despite the surge in media attention and growing acceptance of transgender identities, systemic and societal barriers remain, such as lack of access to health insurance, stigma, and lack of sensitivity and cultural competency, which contribute to persistent, unmet health needs for transgender individuals.
"We're still not addressing societal barriers, such as the lack of access to health care, employment discrimination, and the growing number of�trans-related hate crimes," write organizers. "In fact, 47 percent of�transgender people in Los Angeles have reportedly been the victim of physical assault."
Transgender and gender-nonconforming communities, particularly transgender people of color and those of low socioeconomic status, continue to experience barriers to accessing healthcare and a disproportionate burden of preventable disease and premature death.
The event will consist of two parts: a three-day film festival, guest curated by Zackary Drucker, co-producer of "Transparent," at the The Cinefamily, West Hollywood, showcasing the best in new, repertory and underseen gems of trans-related cinema with special guests and filmmakers in attendance and awards honoring two trans pioneers and advocates, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy and Tiq Milan. The second part is the 15th Annual Queen USA national trans beauty pageant, at the Theatre at the Ace Hotel, on October 22.
Queen USA features co-emcees Candis Cayne and Curly Velasquez, with judges Caitlyn Jenner, Kelly Osbourne, Geena Rocero, Alexandra Billings, iO Tillet Wright, Angelica Ross, Gia Coppola, Michaela Mendelsohn, Nikki Calabrese (Producer of "Transcendent"), Betty Cantrell, David Clark (of Vidal Sassoon), Assistant Chief Beatrice M. Girmala, LAPD, Flawless Sabrina, and City Commissioner Nicole Murray Ramirez.
Featured musical talent includes DJ Lady Miss Kier, The Prancing Elites, Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles, Our Lady J, and Miss American 2016 Betty Cantrell. Jill Soloway will be honored with the Champion for Change Award, and Cecilio Asuncion of Slay Models is the special award presenter.
TransNation Festival endeavors to uplift, educate, and galvanize the transgender community and general public and raise funds for this underserved population.
Proceeds from the TransNation Festival benefit two respected and pioneering nonprofits: St. John's Well Child and Family Center and the Imperial Court of Hollywood and Los Angeles.
St. John's Well Child & Family Center operates one of the largest transgender health centers in the country and is hosting the first annual TransNation Festival, which will celebrate trans culture and raise funds for vital transgender health programs. This two-day transgender film festival and trans beauty pageant will be an unprecedented national convergence of politicians, entertainers, activists, and advocates in support of transgender health and human rights.
Winnie McCroy is the Women on the EDGE Editor, HIV/Health Editor, and Assistant Entertainment Editor for EDGE Media Network, handling all women's news, HIV health stories and theater reviews throughout the U.S. She has contributed to other publications, including The Village Voice, Gay City News, Chelsea Now and The Advocate, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.
