Taking over a wide swatch of Hollywood Beach in the Edgewater neighborhood every summer in August, the Trans Pride Beach Party has become an annual event to look forward to. Organized by Crispin Torres, the event has grown to attract hundreds and, although not intended as a political statement, it’s an event that makes a point. Given the traditional body-shaming that takes place on beaches and waterfronts, inviting trans folks to hang out in numbers creates a safe space where bullying, harassment or bashing won’t pass so easily. Corralled within an area festooned with trans pride flags, for a few daytime hours, the area becomes a zone of blankets and coolers that actively challenges traditional mainstream ideals of gender beauty. The grassroots effort is mainly organized through a Facebook page that’s created new each year, the latest installments for which have garnered basic support from the Howard Brown Health and Quest. An important cornerstone among the trans-positive events in the city, one we’re hopeful the event will continue to grow in both attendance and awareness.
