El 5th Encuentro Nacional Trans Latinx: Health, Leadership, and Empowerment

By Cesar A Reyes

The 5th National Trans Latinx Gathering will take place on Thursday, November 13 and Friday, November 14, solidifying itself as one of the most important spaces for trans, gender non-conforming, queer, and immigrant Latinx communities in the United States. Organized by Proyecto Trans Latina in collaboration with the Equality Empower Center, this event will bring together dozens of organizations, community leaders, allies, and participants from across the country in an effort to foster leadership, build lasting connections, and provide key tools to confront the multiple challenges faced by TGI communities (trans, gender non-conforming, and intersex).

A Vision Born Out of Necessity

The National Trans Latinx Gathering was created in response to the marginalization that trans Latinx people have experienced—even within LGBTI+ spaces. Often, these spaces did not address the specific needs of this community, which motivated the founders to create an event that not only represented them, but also served as a safe space to share experiences, resources, and knowledge.

Jamie Arangure, president of Proyecto Translatina, explains:
“It started with a vision and commitment to our Trans Latinx community. There were no exclusive spaces within our own LGBTQ+ community where our needs and stories were given the importance they deserve. Even today, our group continues to be marginalized.”
One of the main reasons behind the creation of the Gathering was that within the LGBTQ community itself, trans people often lacked dedicated spaces to share their stories, needs, and struggles. This event came to fill that void,offering a space of true belonging.

Growing with Strength and Unity

In just five years, the Gathering has grown exponentially thanks to collaborative work between local and national organizations. More than 35 invited organizations from across the United States have already confirmed their participation.
Jamie shares how all this growth has been made possible:
“This gathering has grown thanks to teamwork and collective effort. Partnerships have been key to keeping the vision of an event that empowers our community and keeps it alive.”
She also proudly notes that Proyecto Translatina has been included in statewide projects in California, which marks a major milestone for an organization created by and for trans Latinx people:
“It’s an honor to be included in spaces where historically we have not been welcomed. We are showing that our work has value and impact.”

A Complete and Transformative Program

The event will span two full days of activities:

• On Thursday, November 13, there will be a Health Fair, offering medical services, community resources, and specialized guidance.
• On Friday, November 14, there will be a full day of Empowerment Workshops and Roundtable Discussions focused on issues relevant to the trans and queer migrant community.

That same Friday evening, the event will conclude with the Monarcas Fashion Show and the Coronation of the King and Queen of the Gathering, creating a space for celebration, art, culture, and pride.
Jamie underscores the importance of such cultural and recreational activities as an essential part of community empowerment:
“These spaces not only educate us, they celebrate us and allow us to feel proud of who we are.”

The Importance of Doing it in Spanish

One of the core principles of the Gathering is that all activities are conducted in Spanish, something still rare in most LGBTQ+ conferences in the U.S.
Jamie explains:
“Events like this in Spanish are crucial because they empower, inform, and most importantly, educate us. There are no exclusive Spanish-language spaces for our population within or beyond San Diego County. This gives us the opportunity to gain more visibility and empowerment.”
Language barriers remain one of the main obstacles for many trans and immigrant people when trying to access resources, medical care, or leadership spaces. That’s why the Gathering is a vital space where language is no longer a barrier, but instead a tool for connection.
“Having resources for the trans community is incredibly important—but having those resources in your language is even more important,” Jamie concludes.

A Space for Everyone

Although the main focus of the event is the Trans Latinx community, the entire San Diego community is invited to participate. The goal is to create a space for learning, dialogue, and transformation for anyone interested in supporting and learning from the TGI movement.
“These workshops empower and build new leadership within the Trans Latinx community. These are opportunities that change lives,” says Jamie.
Additionally, this year special efforts have been made to include trans men, who in previous years had less representation:
“In the past two years, we were mostly trans women. This year, we’ve taken the initiative to include our trans brothers,” she adds.

Toward a Safer and More Just Future

The goal of the 5th National Trans Latinx Gathering is not only to educate and empower but also to build strong support networks and strengthen resistance in the face of ongoing anti-trans, anti-LGBTQ+, and anti-immigrant attacks that continue to affect our communities.
The event seeks to build a future where all trans, queer, non-conforming, and migrant people can live in peace, with dignity, and in fullness.
The Gathering is an open invitation to continue fighting, growing, and dreaming together. Because when communities organize, nothing can stop them.