Published by Mercury News
Chappell Roan’s queer anthem “Pink Pony Club” rang out across McEntee Plaza on Monday afternoon as the transgender flag was raised in front of the Santa Clara County Government Center, where it will remain for the foreseeable future.
The flag, which is made up of five horizontal stripes — two light blue, two pink and one white in the center, will now fly 365 days a year at 70 W. Hedding St. in San Jose as county leaders pledge to support and protect members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Monday’s celebration, which included a performance from Monarcas — the first Latina transgender dance group in the South Bay — took place ahead of the Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31. Sera Fernando, the manager of the County’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs called it a day to learn about what it means to be an ally and celebrate “trans joy.” The event was organized by the Office of LGBTQ Affairs and The Q Corner — an organization within the county’s Behavioral Health Services Department that supports members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Peaches, a 24-year-old transgender woman from San Jose, said she feeIs like “it’s only right” for the county to fly the trans flag 365 days a year. She currently works at the Young Women’s Freedom Center, mentoring trans and other gender-nonconforming youth, making sure they “feel empowered” and have the resources and support they need.
“I grew up in a community where you don’t often see trans and gender-expansive people,” Peaches said. “It wasn’t normalized or accepted as it is today. It was because of the lack of education in my community. And when I say education, I don’t mean the definition, I mean the resources, the community, the allies, the diversity and the difficult conversations.”
