GLAAD & The Trans Wellness Center Team Up to Empower Trans and Non-Binary Latine Advocates

It is vitally important for the stories of LGBTQ people and their families to be told in Spanish-Language media, which plays a key role in the lives of the more than 60 million Latines in the United States.

To help ensure those stories are told, particularly by transgender and nonbinary Latines, the GLAAD Media Institute’s Spanish-Language & Latine Media & Representation team partnered with the Trans Wellness Center for a first-of-its kind event at the Los Angeles LGBT Center in March.

The bilingual event focused on training trans and non-binary community members, leaders and advocates on how to engage with media to amplify their messaging. From Spanish-language news programming to social media campaigns, we covered strategies that work locally and nationally, while helping forge connections to solidify mutual support.

In attendance were Monica Trasandes (Senior Director of Spanish-Language & Latine Media at the GMI), Mariana Marroquín (Director of the Trans Wellness Center), Gabe González (also with GLAAD’s Spanish-Language & Latine Media Team) and community members representing The Translatin@ Coalition, Bienestar, Hispanic Federation, Latino Equality Alliance, The Wall Las Memorias Project and other staff from LGBT Center & GLAAD.

Our training and conversation was followed by a toast, where guests were joined by community members from news and entertainment medias, as well as GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis, who spoke about the importance of LGBTQ representation in Spanish-language & Latine Media — particularly when it comes to combating decades of dangerous stereotypes regarding trans and non-binary people.

Our training and toast took place in Pride Hall at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Anita May Rosenstein Campus, showcasing the vibrant community and vital resources that makes it the largest LGBT Center in the country.