[News] [TX, USA] PrideFest to focus on transgender issues
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Stephanie Stevens
Jun 8, 2012, 9:45:12 AM6/8/12
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San Antonio Express-News, TX, USA
PrideFest to focus on transgender issues
By Elaine Ayala
Updated 11:29 p.m., Thursday, June 7, 2012
June is gay pride month, and the city's gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender communities will celebrate it at the annual PrideFest San
Antonio on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at HemisFair Park.
The free festival will feature food, music, vendors, a drag show and
an appearance by transgender activist Nikki Araguz.
Held for more than 15 years, organizers hope this year to raise
awareness about the transgender community, which is getting “left
behind,” said Deb Browning, a PrideFest co-chair.
“We're making these strides,” she said of gays and lesbians. “I've
seen that change, even in Texas.”
“But transgendered people aren't understood. They're having the
hardest time and are facing the most discrimination,” she said.
Browning said the festival will open with a tribute to men and women
in the military, a prayer and gospel music.
About 100 vendors will be featured, including a crew raising money to
finish a film. “Four Lives Lost,” is about a 1994 San Antonio case
involving four Latina lesbians who were found guilty of aggravated
sexual assault of two girls.
The women are still in prison. A San Antonio Express-News
investigation in 2010 raised questions about the scientific legitimacy
of medical evidence presented and whether the defendants' sexual
orientation influenced investigators, prosecutors or jurors.
Entertainment begins at 3 p.m. and will include music and routines by
several drag performers, including Shady Lady, Tencha La Jefa and Yara
Sofia of Ru Paul's Drag Race. Ginger Grant, a host of “La Cage aux
Folles” in Las Vegas, will perform as well, Browning said.
Araguz will deliver a keynote speech at about 6:30 p.m.
Born male, Araguz underwent surgery and has married twice. She gained
notoriety in Texas after a court ruled against her in a dispute over
death benefits from her late husband, a firefighter who died in the
line of duty.
PrideFest is a separate event from the annual “Pride Bigger Than
Texas” Festival and Parade, which is June 30.
© 2012 Hearst Communications Inc.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/PrideFest-to-focus-on-transgender-issues-3617893.php
PrideFest to focus on transgender issues
By Elaine Ayala
Updated 11:29 p.m., Thursday, June 7, 2012
June is gay pride month, and the city's gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender communities will celebrate it at the annual PrideFest San
Antonio on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at HemisFair Park.
The free festival will feature food, music, vendors, a drag show and
an appearance by transgender activist Nikki Araguz.
Held for more than 15 years, organizers hope this year to raise
awareness about the transgender community, which is getting “left
behind,” said Deb Browning, a PrideFest co-chair.
“We're making these strides,” she said of gays and lesbians. “I've
seen that change, even in Texas.”
“But transgendered people aren't understood. They're having the
hardest time and are facing the most discrimination,” she said.
Browning said the festival will open with a tribute to men and women
in the military, a prayer and gospel music.
About 100 vendors will be featured, including a crew raising money to
finish a film. “Four Lives Lost,” is about a 1994 San Antonio case
involving four Latina lesbians who were found guilty of aggravated
sexual assault of two girls.
The women are still in prison. A San Antonio Express-News
investigation in 2010 raised questions about the scientific legitimacy
of medical evidence presented and whether the defendants' sexual
orientation influenced investigators, prosecutors or jurors.
Entertainment begins at 3 p.m. and will include music and routines by
several drag performers, including Shady Lady, Tencha La Jefa and Yara
Sofia of Ru Paul's Drag Race. Ginger Grant, a host of “La Cage aux
Folles” in Las Vegas, will perform as well, Browning said.
Araguz will deliver a keynote speech at about 6:30 p.m.
Born male, Araguz underwent surgery and has married twice. She gained
notoriety in Texas after a court ruled against her in a dispute over
death benefits from her late husband, a firefighter who died in the
line of duty.
PrideFest is a separate event from the annual “Pride Bigger Than
Texas” Festival and Parade, which is June 30.
© 2012 Hearst Communications Inc.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/PrideFest-to-focus-on-transgender-issues-3617893.php
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