Unfiltered Wings, an organization “dedicated to empowering the transgender and non-binary community,” held their third annual “March of Us” for trans visibility on the morning of March 29. The organization was accompanied by other communities supporting the LGBTQ+, such as Thrive Youth Center, Equality Texas, San Antonio gender association and Trans Masc Folks y Mas. Volunteers were also present to provide support with water and snacks throughout the march.
The event began with a rally at the Bexar County Courthouse with close to 250 demonstrators. There were multiple guest speakers and a Native American Seven Directions prayer. Lynz Andrews, an activist and drag artist, initiated the start of the protest.
“Are we ready to let them know that we are angry? Are we ready to let them know we are gonna be seen and heard?” Andrews shouted.
“Here, in the state of Texas alone, there are 126 anti-trans bills,” Andrews said. “What we are going to do [today] is show them we are not going anywhere. We belong at that seat and that table.”
Following Andrews, District Two Councilmember and former math teacher Jalen Mckee-Rodriguez spoke at the event regarding how six students left an impact on him during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My last year of teaching before I got elected with most of my students being online, it was during this year that the most students I ever had either attempted to runaway or commit suicide. There were six of them. and every single one of them were a part of the LGBTQ+ community,” Mckee-Rodriguez said. “Four of them were struggling with gender identity issues.”
Mayoral candidate Gina Ortiz Jones was also in attendance.
“I am a proud member of the LGBTQ community, and I think it is really important in these times when our entire community is under attack — but in particular our trans neighbors, friends and family members — that we show up,” Ortiz Jones said.
Logan, a participant, shared how they learned of the event and their experiences.
“I am a college student at Texas State University. I was at my planned parenthood visit for my hormone therapy picking up my testosterone, and sitting in the lobby, there was a poster for this march,” Logan said. “I think I have been missing the community a lot. I had not realized how beautiful it was until today.
“To me it is about being comfortable in your body and being able to express yourself as you wish. I consider myself to be non-binary trans. I was raised a girl, but I still want my testosterone, my beard, my chest hair, but I wanna wear my skirts.” Logan added about what it means to be trans.
Sofia Sepulveda, organizer and field director for Equality Texas and an open transgender Latina, spoke about the importance of visibility within the trans community.
“I have been out since I was 19, so it is super important to continue to show visibility, especially in a state that continues to try to take away our rights.” Sepulveda said. “I think visibility is super important but also having a safety net to fall on.”
The crowd began to march through downtown San Antonio holding signs with quotes, such as “Trans Rights are Human Rights” and “Protect Trans Kids.” Chants were heard throughout Houston and Navarro Street. Leo Castillo, social media and marketing manager at Thrive Youth Center, led the chants.
“When trans lives are under attack, what do we do? Stand up and fight back.”
The march was a total of 1.5 miles and concluded at Crockett Park, located in the Tobin Hill neighborhood. A resource fair was set up with vendors circling the pavilion in the center of the park.
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