From Fighting Detention Centers to Passing Bills, These Trans Latinas Are Taking the Fight to a Whole New Level
For the past 15 years, The TransLatin@ Coalition (TLC) has been a beacon of hope. The organization has been a fierce advocate for transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex (TGI) Latinx individuals. What began as a volunteer-based organization supporting trans women detained in immigration facilities has grown into a national powerhouse. The TLC is championing legislation, providing critical services, and creating a safer, more equitable world for the TGI community.
“We started in 2009 specifically to support and uplift the livelihood of Trans Latinas who were incarcerated in immigration detention,” Bamby Salcedo, President and CEO of The TransLatin@ Coalition, told FIERCE. “We would visit them, raise funds to put money on their books, connect them with lawyers, and pick them up when they were released. It was clear that members of our community didn’t have access to social supportive services.”
Today, TLC’s services go far beyond providing basic needs. From legal aid and housing assistance to violence prevention and community outreach, the organization meets the multifaceted needs of TGI people across the U.S. In 2024 alone, TLC served over 9,541 individuals through their Drop-in Center. They housed 113 clients, represented 90 asylum seekers, and reached 45,262 individuals through community outreach.
Expanding Services to Meet Critical Needs
“We got our first official grant in January 2016 to provide case management services to trans women coming out of immigration detention,” says Salcedo. “Since then, we’ve built a multiplicity of services designed to support and uplift the livelihood of trans, gender non-conforming, and intersex people. You can’t organize or mobilize people if they are struggling with basic needs.”
With a growing presence and impact, TLC has developed the Center for Violence Prevention and Transgender Wellness. They provide comprehensive gender-affirming care, mental health services, workforce development, and more. The goal? To ensure that TGI people have the resources they need to not just survive, but thrive.
But even with these advances, the road to change is far from smooth. “There’s still a lot of ignorance within our society, policymakers, and legislators. There’s still a lot of discrimination,” Bamby notes. “Despite the challenges, it really is about how we build a better future for our communities.”
Policy Wins and Legislative Change
The TransLatin@ Coalition is not just about direct service provision; it’s about transforming policies that impact TGI lives. Over the years, TLC has been instrumental in shaping legislation. This includes the passing of AB1487 and AB1163 in California, which aim to protect the rights of TGI individuals.
“It’s important to recognize that to have policy enacted and policy wins, it’s really a collective effort,” explains Salcedo. “There are many entities that support the work that needs to happen to recognize and protect TGI people. Even though we’ve had policy wins, it’s still challenging to get them all the way to the governor’s desk.”
TLC’s legislative work began with the understanding that policy change can create a lasting impact for TGI communities. “We need to ensure there are pieces of legislation and protections that take care of TGI people,” Salcedo emphasizes.
“We’re in a political moment where a lot of folks feel very permissive to be discriminatory and to be oppressive to specifically TGI people,” says Maria Roman-Taylorson, Vice President and COO of The TransLatin@ Coalition. “We need to recourse to ensure we protect TGI people through policy change. This is how we can create a great impact, allocate resources, and ensure the safety of TGI people.”
GARRAS Fashion Show: A Celebration of Strength and Resilience
Beyond policy and services, TLC also understands the importance of celebrating the TGI community’s strength and resilience. The annual GARRAS Fashion Show is one such event. Described as a love letter to the community, it brings together TGI models, designers, and artists to showcase their talent and beauty. This year, GARRAS is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a special quinceañera-themed event, honoring 15 years of TLC’s work and the community it serves.
“For those that don’t know what GARRAS is, it’s a double-meaning word,” says Salcedo. “It means rags or claws, but for us, it’s an acronym: Groundbreaking, Activism, Re-directing, and Reforming All Systems. It’s a celebration of our community right now, who have always been marginalized and oppressed.”
Last year, GARRAS attracted over 750 attendees and raised $260,000—making it the most successful event in TLC’s history. “It’s an event made out of love,” Salcedo reflects. “We’re celebrating our quinceañera, full of fashion and honoring the work we’ve put in for the last 15 years.”
“Our fashion show has grown to be the event of the year where people can expect to see beautiful garments and beautiful people who have overcome so many challenges to live authentically,” says Roman-Taylorson. “You can see that through their beautiful faces and the joy that they bring when they walk the runway. It is a show not to be missed.”
Building a Brighter Future for the TGI Community
The TransLatin@ Coalition’s vision for the future extends beyond events and existing services. With plans to build a new Empowerment Center and expand its El Monte site, TLC is determined to create a long-term infrastructure that will serve TGI communities for years to come.
“Our initial mission was to advocate for the specific needs of Latina immigrant women who happened to be trans,” says Roman-Taylorson. “However, it has evolved to serve all TGI communities. Ensuring that folks have access to comprehensive social services and access to some of the basic things, including housing, employment, and food safety.”
Roman-Taylorson, who has been advocating for TGI rights for over 25 years, is passionate about ensuring that future generations have a better path forward. “I consider myself a woman who has found her passion in giving back to my community to ensure that I speak not only for myself as a transgender woman who is Latina, but for community members that continue to face the same challenges that I faced when I was young,” she shares.
The Fight Continues: Changing Lives Through Advocacy and Action
The TransLatin@ Coalition’s story is one of resilience, advocacy, and transformation. Through policy change, direct service provision, and community celebration, TLC continues to elevate the voices and experiences of TGI people across the country.
As Roman-Taylorson puts it, “We look at the macro-level change that needs to happen. We will continue to secure resources to provide housing entrepreneurship, an array of services that deal with the whole person, utilizing peer support and the social enterprising model. We know that our efforts will support more people investing in the lives of TGI people.”
The TransLatin@ Coalition’s impact will undoubtedly continue to grow, driven by their unwavering commitment to creating a world where TGI people are empowered, protected, and celebrated for who they are.
