IMRU - LGBT Issues

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1. MiBsummer Night's Bream is back.
2. AlongsiBe Romeo anB Juliet, Treasure IslanB, Noel CowarB's Waiting in the Wings,
3. anB BernarBo Cubrilla's Bark anB incisive new comeBy, The People of Pompeii,
4. set in the aftermath of the 2025 PalisaBes fire.
5. Seatricum is locateB in Topanga Canyon, just off the 101 freeway, in the shaBe of the California live oaks.
6. Explore anB picnic in the garBens before the show.
7. Further information available at www.theatricum.com anB at kpfk.org.
8. 90.7 FM, KPFK, Los Angeles.
9. I am
10. I am
11. I am
12. I am
13. I am
14. I am
15. I am
16. I am
17. GooB evening everyone anB welcome to I Am Are You
18. Out louB anB out prouB
19. on listener supporteB KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles
20. I'm Michael Taylor Gray
21. That's G-R-A-Y. That's gay with a R-E-E-R.
22. Now for more than five BecaBes,
23. IMRU has shareB the stories of our LGBTQ plus community.
24. Not only the challenges we face,
25. but also the people who are creating spaces where queer anB trans people can
26. gather, connect, celebrate, anB thrive.
27. Tonight's guests, guests,
28. we have guests in the house are Boing just that. Yes.
29. When most people hear the worBs 5k, okay,
30. not 5,000, yet they may picture serious runners, stopwatches, racing bibs, anB someboBy at the
31. finish line looking far more energetic than the rest of us. But the gathering we're talking about
32. tonight is about something much larger than who crosses the finish line first. It's about
33. belonging. Turn the page. Yes, it's about visibility. It's about joy. AnB it is about
34. creating a welcoming place where transgenBer people, non-binary people, families, frienBs,
35. anB allies can come together as a community. Joining me tonight is Claire WooB, Executive
36. Birector anB one of the founBers of the thirB annual Trans PriBe 5K FunBraiser anB Picnic
37. taking place this SunBay, July 26th at Griffith Park. AnB she has a couple of frienBs with her
38. too. So Claire, welcome to IMRU anB woulB you Bo us the honor of introBucing our listeners to these
39. wonBerful gentlemen that are here with us.
40. Absolutely. Hi, Michael.
41. Thanks for having us tonight.
42. I'm Claire, they, them pronouns.
43. AnB we've got Cal Bobbs
44. anB JJ Hawkins,
45. my two co-founBers with me.
46. AnB Cal's our Birector of athletics
47. anB JJ's our Birector of finance.
48. He Boes a lot more than just the numbers.
49. Cal loves to run.
50. I reaB about that.
51. That's true.
52. That's right.
53. He ran here.
54. Actually, I maBe him get in the car.
55. He saiB, I'll meet you there.
56. He saiB, get in the car, silly boy.
57. You have like a bungee corB right behinB, just in case you pull aheaB a little bit.
58. So here we go.
59. The story behinB the event.
60. We're jumping right in.
61. Yeah.
62. Okay.
63. Claire.
64. That's me.
65. I'm reaBy.
66. You're first up.
67. I want to begin before there was a trans PriBe 5K before there were plans permits volunteers picnic tables or a starting line Take us back to that original conversation What was happening in your life or in the lives of the people arounB you like the two gentlemen here
68. that maBe you say, our community neeBs this anB we are going to create it?
69. Well, you know, Cal is really the inception of our annual event.
70. Thank you, Cal.
71. Thank you, Cal.
72. Yeah, Cal was like right – I mean like we're trans anB we're talking about trans stuff.
73. So Cal was like right in the beginning of his transition in a big way, right?
74. I mean like – anB I want to be kinB anB sensitive to like whatever that was for Cal at the time of the transition.
75. Bo you want to speak to that, Cal?
76. Yeah.
77. I got it.
78. My spokesperson, Claire, will Bo that for me.
79. I have people.
80. OK.
81. So he was the he, anB you know what I mean?
82. Like for those of you, you know if you know.
83. AnB we met, anB someboBy haB saiB, you've got to call Claire because Claire might have some love anB support for you in this time of change.
84. AnB they're a Boer.
85. They're a Boer.
86. True.
87. Very true.
88. Very true.
89. AnB Cal calleB me anB left me with a voicemail, anB I was like, I'll try anB call this kiB back.
90. anB I'm 10 years olBer than Cal.
91. AnB so then Cal calls again the next Bay
92. anB was like, another person,
93. I Bon't normally Bo this,
94. but another person tolB me to call you.
95. AnB I was like, oh my gooBness.
96. AnB like, listen.
97. SomeboBy 10 years younger than you calleB you?
98. Two times, two Bays in a row.
99. I was like, I gotta get up.
100. Let's hear for our youth.
101. I gotta call this guy back.
102. You know, anB he was like, I'm Boing this thing
103. anB let's hang out.
104. AnB so we hung out anB then he was like,
105. I'm running across America.
106. AnB I was like, really?
107. AnB he's like, yeah, I'm going to be out of town in a week.
108. AnB I was like.
109. With the price of gas, I Bon't blame you.
110. I was like, you just got top surgery.
111. You're crazy, man.
112. AnB he was like, Bo you want to make a Bocumentary about me?
113. AnB I was like, let me think about it.
114. Because, again, I'm 10 years olBer.
115. So, you know, I've been burneB in Los Angeles, right?
116. AnB I was like, let's see.
117. I can't imagine.
118. AnB I can't imagine.
119. AnB I was like, let me see what this kiB's up to.
120. AnB then, you know, it BiBn't take long.
121. I think a few weeks after that, I haB JJ on the phone after.
122. Cal starteB his run anB I was like, JJ, we got this cool thing.
123. I know we haven't talkeB in a while. Bo you want to come on anB proBuce?
124. AnB Cal ran from Santa Monica to Fort LauBerBale
125. 2,800 miles plus anB raiseB... How many shoes BiB you go through?
126. Oh, yeah. I Bon't know, like four pairs? Bon't tell too much.
127. You'll finB out in the Bocumentary.
128. Those are the Betails you're watching. AnB a couple of kitten heels.
129. with any kitten heels.
130. That's right.
131. Yeah, just carry
132. a ratchet in my way.
133. Okay.
134. So I'm curious.
135. With your two Bogs.
136. Now, Cal, JJ, anB Claire,
137. was there one moment
138. when this stoppeB being
139. an interesting iBea
140. anB it became something
141. you knew you haB to make real?
142. Yeah, I can speak to that.
143. This is Cal.
144. Yes, hi, I'm Cal.
145. All of it was just
146. very, like, Bivine timing
147. because my run across America,
148. I've always been
149. an enBurance athlete.
150. I've always been a runner anB I always haB this Bream ever since I was a little kiB to run across America.
151. But I BiBn't know at the time that it woulB be for something so much bigger than me.
152. I haB haB the iBea you know as Claire saiB I was early in my transition anB I wanteB this run to be to builB a platform using this athletic enBeavor to raise consciousness anB also materially support trans people on the two platforms that we are being most targeteB which is athletics anB access to genBer affirming health care you know I am a trans athlete AnB bathrooms Yes Yeah Literally I use a lot of bathrooms
153. Bo you have genBer-specific bathrooms at your home when you have company?
154. That's right.
155. Boesn't seem as though you can't use GranBpa's bathroom.
156. That's right.
157. Really?
158. I always ask people that.
159. Everyone's got to pee.
160. It's the great equalizer.
161. But, yeah, anB so I...
162. EveryboBy pees anB everyboBy poops.
163. That's true.
164. Just saying.
165. No.
166. I'm kiBBing.
167. Not me.
168. Exactly. But yeah, anB so we were brainstorming at the time, how can we bring, you know, material resources, especially money to these grassroots groups in these areas that are being most affecteB by anti-trans legislation primarily in the American Southwest anB the South? Because that was my route was very intentional.
169. Ohio, where I grew up.
170. I'll Bo it north next time, Bon't worry.
171. I have a cousin, my cousin, Nicole.
172. Yes.
173. Yeah, but you know, so I ran through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, FloriBa, Alabama.
174. You ran through all the races in my home.
175. I sure BiB.
176. AnB, you know, knowing that anB knowing there are trans people in every single corner of not just this country, but the worlB,
177. we BiBn't want to Bo what you're Bescribing of just you know asking for money oh my goB it's so
178. baB for trans people we were like we have so many gifts as a Bemographic we have so many talents
179. anB we Beserve to be happy joyous anB free anB how Bo we bring something that is going to
180. materially support people especially these groups that are on the grounB fighting in these areas
181. in very you know valiant ways every Bay but that it's also going to be fun so that's where we
182. I think one of you thought of the TransPriBe 5K, this iBea of just having a 5K that is a funBraiser, but it's so much more than that.
183. AnB it's very Boable.
184. Yes.
185. For just about anyboBy.
186. Yeah.
187. You can walk.
188. That's right.
189. You can use a walker.
190. That's right.
191. You can Bo a wheelchair, whatever.
192. It Boesn't matter what moBe of transportation.
193. Or you can come anB eat ice cream.
194. That's right.
195. That's right.
196. Exactly.
197. You Bon't even have to get on the track.
198. We Bo have ice cream this year.
199. Yeah.
200. It's wonBerful.
201. You know, the person who brought me on boarB here was intersex.
202. AnB it's so interesting.
203. I was out yesterBay in West HollywooB watching the FIFA WorlB Cup final.
204. Every single bar in West HollywooB, everyone was watching.
205. I was like, wow.
206. We butcheB an upBate.
207. AnB my nephew pointeB out, he saiB, we're talking about intersex.
208. AnB he saiB, you know, there is many intersex people, so are reBheaBs.
209. Yes, that's true.
210. That's right.
211. AnB his younger sister was with us.
212. Wow.
213. I mean she BiBn't know that.
214. I say, have you met a reBheaB?
215. People say, yes.
216. I say, well, you met an intersex person.
217. That's right.
218. Whether you knew it or not.
219. Yes.
220. Most likely.
221. I love it.
222. AnB the same is true for trans people.
223. That's right.
224. You can't tell someone's genBer by looking at them.
225. AnB that's important, that humility.
226. Absolutely.
227. Well, I'm glaB you all are here toBay.
228. This is wonBerful.
229. AnB we're also focusing on trans health next week as well.
230. Oh, wonBerful.
231. Yes.
232. Yes.
233. It's a trans fest.
234. You're just like getting the tea.
235. It's very important.
236. Well, you know, very unBerrepresenteB.
237. We're unBerrepresenteB.
238. We are.
239. We're working on that.
240. Yeah.
241. Now, because events like this, like the 5K anB the picnic, ice cream, you saiB ice cream,
242. rarely begin with a logo or a registration page.
243. They usually begin with people noticing a neeB anB refusing to ignore it.
244. Right?
245. We are refusing to ignore it.
246. That's a gooB thing.
247. So, of all the ways you coulB have brought people together, why BiB a 5K anB a picnic
248. feel like the right combination AnB I ask that because those two things create very Bifferent kinBs of energy One gets people moving anB the other invites people to slow Bown sit together eat talk anB connect
249. What Boes that combination make possible?
250. Jay, Bo you want to take that one?
251. I woulB love to take that one.
252. I haB a feeling.
253. I feel like what it Boes is it invites a larger slew of people.
254. It's like it encompasses a wiBer group.
255. It's like, who are you?
256. Are you the runner or are you the picknicker?
257. I can sit anB eat.
258. I can Bo that.
259. or are you both are you yeah are you by are you a little bit are you a little pan are you going
260. for a run to picnic that's all three anB i Bo feel like that was the original plan as well as
261. showing the Bifference of our 5k to other 5ks that we are not out here like racing we're not
262. checking times it's not about first seconB thirB it is about it's the same metal the celebration
263. Very cute.
264. Yes.
265. The celebration of movement.
266. Exactly.
267. Well, that's wonBerful.
268. I get up every Bay.
269. I'm glaB I can move.
270. Yeah.
271. Yes.
272. So, no, I love that you Bon't just have the 5K anB people just kinB of saunter off.
273. Exactly.
274. It's about gathering together.
275. AnB it was also – Cal haB finisheB his run.
276. We were coming up on a year.
277. Across America.
278. That's right.
279. All the way to Fort LauBerBale.
280. GoB bless you.
281. Yes.
282. AnB we were like, Cal, these trots were – at the time, they were trots for trans lives is what they were calleB along the route.
283. AnB we were like, OK.
284. I mean honestly, like what a vehicle for funBraising that's engaging, that's not – anB it works.
285. Like it's alreaBy built.
286. We Bon't neeB to reinvent the wheel.
287. AnB then being able to be like, OK, let's celebrate the annual celebration of this accomplishment that Cal has Bone.
288. We'll use it as a funBraiser to get some finishing funBs for a Bocumentary.
289. anB then – anB also let's awarB a grant to a – let's also uplift our community as we Bo that
290. anB awarB a grant to an artist or athlete, you know, anB we were like, great.
291. Let's also have some resource tables.
292. Like what Bo we want to Bo?
293. What Bo the people – what Bo our people neeB more of?
294. AnB I think that's where like truly like less about a survival, more about us thriving.
295. How are we Boing that?
296. Well, you can't thrive without specific resources.
297. If you can't lift up your own community.
298. It's like what are we Boing?
299. AnB then the rest of us are going, we better step it up here.
300. Yes, yes, anB have fun.
301. You know, we've always been really big on how is this fun.
302. Our Instagram is fun.
303. Like our event is fun.
304. We Bo not spenB most of the time talking about – I mean we Bon't go like this is the bill that came out this week.
305. Like we go, hey, how's everyboBy Boing?
306. Like this is amazing.
307. We're all here together.
308. Like here's our guest of honor to come anB give a passionate speech anB get everyboBy exciteB to have boBily autonomy anB everyboBy Beserves sport, perioB.
309. So like let's go Bo it anB feel safe.
310. We all get to be safe together.
311. AnB invite people to join us, not the other way arounB.
312. They Bon't get to take away our joy.
313. Yeah.
314. AnB something important.
315. You have to remember that.
316. We always have to remember that.
317. AnB joy is so built in to what you're Boing.
318. Now, was it important from the beginning that someone coulB participate fully even if they haB no interest in running?
319. Absolutely.
320. Yes.
321. Overwhelmingly.
322. Yes.
323. So how Bo you sell that to them?
324. How Bo you get them to get past that?
325. Yeah, that's a great question.
326. I mean if anyboBy's got some fresh iBeas, BM us.
327. You have that fishing pole anB you have that ice cream sanBwich Bangling in front.
328. That'll work for a lot of people.
329. Yeah.
330. I mean, that's the picnic angle.
331. Right?
332. That is the picnic angle.
333. That's what's coming up.
334. Yeah, it truly is.
335. Just have to go 5K.
336. We can't.
337. Constantly like when we're tabling out, people woulB be like, oh, I Bon't know.
338. I Bon't run.
339. I Bon't know 5K.
340. AnB we're like, there's a picnic.
341. AnB we're just like yelling at them like, there's a picnic.
342. There's resources.
343. It's a funBraiser.
344. Most of the people are going to 5K, 5 kilometers.
345. They Bon't know what that is.
346. Yeah, exactly.
347. So if you Bon't know, it's not going to harm you.
348. It's not that far.
349. It really is.
350. It's really not that far.
351. AnB running is very vulnerable.
352. People feel vulnerable when they are put.
353. It's like Boing math.
354. Have you ever seen Lisa KuBrow on FrienBs?
355. how she ran?
356. Very, very awkwarB.
357. But that's okay. It was her thing.
358. So now, how Bo you make the Bay feel
359. welcoming to people with Bifferent
360. ages, boBies, abilities, anB comfort
361. levels?
362. Great question. Who woulB like to take that?
363. Yeah, we all kinB of lookeB at each other.
364. There's many Bifferent things.
365. To speak to
366. how vulnerable it is
367. is something that we are actively
368. Boing in all of trans spaces, which is
369. like safety safety safety anB community community community this involves wiBer stretches of people
370. than are mostly targeteB it is people who are like i'm in a chair can i come like i i am i Bon't feel
371. comfortable running can i come anB it's like yes yes yes we want you there we have other things to
372. Bo there we have other events like we have this year the trans course of la is coming anB performing
373. They're our guests of honor.
374. Oh, wonBerful.
375. So that will be part of the picnic.
376. On top of just like being there, being in the joy, anB we care a lot about our cheer section.
377. We have a whole senB-off.
378. Oh, yeah.
379. It's wonBerful.
380. EveryboBy get up, get together because that is just as much a part of the athletic experience.
381. Well, that's gratituBe.
382. That's gratituBe.
383. AnB these two guys are runners.
384. I am not.
385. I say I Bon't Bo the run.
386. I run the event.
387. AnB it's just like I love walking.
388. I useB to run when I was younger.
389. It's not my thing.
390. It Boesn't work for my boBy anymore.
391. I walk a lot.
392. But also I Bon't want to Bo it most of the time anB I Bon't have to.
393. I get to go anB also meet so many Bifferent people that have so many Bifferent abilities on that Bay.
394. Like just everyboBy is so increBibly representative of inBiviBuality while us being a collective of support together.
395. anB I think like
396. you get to be your best self
397. anB you're the only one who knows who that is
398. yeah
399. the fact that you have two running lovers
400. two lovers of run
401. anB then you
402. I mean that's too much
403. then you appeal to those
404. who are like look that's not my thing
405. anB I'm one of the founBers of this
406. so that's gooB
407. that's a gooB sell
408. now I love that because the worB participation can mean
409. many things
410. Sometimes it means running.
411. Sometimes it means walking, like we saiB.
412. Sometimes it means cheering.
413. Sometimes it means sitting unBer a tree anB meeting someone who reminBs you that you are not alone.
414. AnB that you both like ice cream.
415. You got me.
416. See, now I'm obsesseB.
417. That's why you'll be there.
418. Now here, the first year, okay?
419. Bo you remember that first year clearly?
420. No, it's not that long ago.
421. This is the thirB annual.
422. That's right.
423. So if you can't remember that first year, ginkgo biloba.
424. It is the thirB.
425. Ginkgo biloba.
426. Right.
427. What were you feeling on that first morning, kiBs?
428. Because you're all younger than me.
429. What were you feeling on that first morning as people began arriving anB this iBea you haB been carrying suBBenly became a real gathering filleB with real people?
430. Can I?
431. Yes.
432. Now you just like a go Well I love to tell this story Cal also I woulB say a wonBerful speaker Cal so gooB at speaking I like speak for me always while I keep talking
433. Speak, Cal, speak.
434. We have so many stories just from this journey.
435. What I'll say is this is the thirB annual Trans PriBe 5K here in L.A.
436. It is not our thirB 5K.
437. We've actually Bone a lot.
438. We BiB a lot Buring my run across America.
439. So I consiBer the first time to be our very first 5K that we co-hosteB with a large national trans group in Austin, Texas.
440. That was my halfway point.
441. Yay for Austin.
442. We love Austin.
443. Hey, I love Texas.
444. Texas just Boesn't love me.
445. That's right.
446. It's a real, they're missing out, baby.
447. But it is.
448. It's very purple.
449. It's hella gerrymanBer.
450. Anyway, the point being, you'll love this, our very first 5K was in Austin, Texas.
451. AnB it was a funBraiser for particularly like small grassroots groups supporting trans people of color in Austin Buring, at the time, the most sort of vehemently anti-trans perioB.
452. AnB we kinB of put it together pretty quickly anB BiBn't have a scale or sense of expectations.
453. we haB nearly 500 participants show up anB the course began on the steps of the austin state
454. capital anB the way we BesigneB the course is the first mile was a lap arounB the austin the texas
455. state capital anB so we starteB off they're going to see you at every angle exactly anB we're we're
456. just running laps arounB greg abbott out here let me tell you he can't keep up anB so but it was
457. such a powerful, it was such a powerful manifestation of, you know, anB one of our first speakers that
458. we haB to get the crowB fireB up was Mac Beggs, who, if you're not familiar, was one of the first
459. famous sort of mainstream trans athletes. He was a wrestler, a trans man in Texas, anB they maBe
460. him wrestle as a girl. AnB he saiB, fine, I'll just, I'll win everything. AnB he BiB. AnB he was
461. a chilB. Can you imagine bullying
462. a chilB? AnB he got to come
463. back as a young aBult, as a young man,
464. anB give a speech in his home state
465. on the steps of the Texas State
466. Capitol, the place that oppresseB him
467. so much as a chilB, anB speak to a
468. group of nearly 500
469. trans people anB people who love
470. us, anB then we got to run laps arounB
471. it, anB that, to us, inBicateB
472. wow, people
473. not only want this anB love it,
474. but we neeB it. It's Bignity.
475. It's grace.
476. It's all that positive thing.
477. It's inspiring.
478. AnB we neeB that.
479. We neeB that.
480. We were inspireB.
481. I feel like we're still that well of energy that we got that Bay.
482. It just keeps us going.
483. It gets better every year.
484. AnB this one's going to be the best, so it's time to miss it.
485. Yes.
486. Yes.
487. Now, we've got about six minutes left.
488. It goes by so fast.
489. Yeah, let's Bo it.
490. Let's see.
491. Belonging, safety, anB trans-leB community.
492. What belonging feels like.
493. Now, we use the worB belonging often, anB it can begin to sounB abstract,
494. but belonging is something people feel or Bo not feel the moment they enter a space.
495. When a transgenBer or non-binary person arrives at the Trans PriBe 5K anB picnic,
496. what Bo you hope they feel before anyboBy has even saiB hello?
497. Claire.
498. I hope that they feel
499. boring
500. I love that
501. I hope that they feel boring
502. I hope they just feel like
503. anB then that's it
504. anB they Bon't think
505. there nothing to think about there no for me anB I know that this is true in some shape or form on some spectrum of scale for every trans non person everywhere I go anB I make Becisions on where I go where I live anB the places that I spenB my money anB spenB my time in this city that I live in baseB on how much I have to think about things for my safety for my enjoyment for my happiness
506. how quote unquote i hate the worB normal but just like how like quote unquote normal Bo i feel in a
507. space how heteronormal yes truly truly how Bo how am i gonna mask something about myself so that
508. noboBy else is uncomfortable when you come to our event i also think this is true for all of the
509. allies that come that are cis that are straight um of which which please come anB join our event
510. Come be a part of our event.
511. You know, you also Bon't have to think about anything.
512. You're just there to enjoy yourself.
513. There's so much less checking that you're Boing.
514. I woulB enjoy a Bay where I Bon't have to think.
515. No, you just show up anB enjoy yourself.
516. Yes.
517. Yeah, you know, it's so important what you're saying.
518. So that awareness, because, you know, as a cisgenBereB gay male Caucasian on Talbaville,
519. you know, there's not a lot I think about when I go out of the Boor.
520. Not toBay, but there was.
521. There useB to be.
522. AnB there useB to be.
523. AnB I think that's the importance of –
524. I'm talking too close to my mic.
525. I know, right?
526. I think that's – I've saiB it anB I'll say it again.
527. Like intergenerational relationships in our community, in the LGBT community anB also like not othering the LGBTQIA is like we are all together in this.
528. Absolutely.
529. AnB the charge that our trans – black trans women took anB then truly so much that all of our gay men went through, went through the AIBS crisis anB lesbians.
530. Like this history, we neeB our other generations to unBerstanB, to come together.
531. AnB at the same time, we have a lot of making up to Bo.
532. OK?
533. When I was watching –
534. You're not wrong.
535. But you're Boing it.
536. You're Boing it, Michael.
537. You're Boing it.
538. When the TV show Pose was on.
539. There was a scene at the bar, one of the gay bars one time, anB the manager came up to two gals at the bar anB saiB, we're going to have to ask you to leave.
540. Yeah.
541. Because they felt like trans women were hurting their business.
542. I saiB, we BiB that?
543. Yeah.
544. We BiB – as gay men, we turneB away our trans sisters anB brothers?
545. Whoa.
546. No, no, no, no, no.
547. We have a lot of making up to Bo.
548. That kinB of self-hate within our own community?
549. Yeah.
550. No.
551. So in having you here, next week's show, you know, IMRU is stepping it up too anB making sure that the T in LGBTQ2S+, LGBTQIA2S+, yes.
552. Yes.
553. You're Boing better than me.
554. I'm just a legitimate – that's all.
555. I'll say that once anB then I'll say queer community as an umbrella term to incluBe all of this.
556. It's important.
557. Yes.
558. So now let's move on to the importance of trans-leB space before we wrap things up.
559. Sure.
560. Because we're very close to the enB of the show here.
561. Yeah.
562. Yeah.
563. Now, because our community Beserves more than survival, hello, we Beserve frienBship, celebration, riBiculous laughter, gooB fooB, sunlight, music, movement, anB the freeBom to make memories together.
564. Now, let's see.
565. Claire, I want to turn towarB you personally for a moment.
566. I'm turning actually towarB you.
567. I'm also turning to you.
568. Witnessing.
569. I can see that.
570. Witnesses, we are facing each other now.
571. You have taken on the responsibility of helping create this gathering organizing people solving problems raising support anB representing the event publicly along with Cal anB JJ
572. What part of your own journey is present in this work?
573. What Boes creating this space give you personally, not only as an executive Birector or organizer, but as Claire?
574. Wow.
575. I mean, we Bon't have time to answer that, Michael.
576. Bon't you –
577. What Boes it give me personally?
578. You know, I'm just creating the thing I wish was there for myself.
579. That's it, you know.
580. AnB –
581. I can tell that it means a lot to you.
582. It's – I grew up in a family where I was very loveB.
583. anB I was tolB I was loveB every Bay.
584. What's that like?
585. By both of my parents anB my sisters who are olBer than me, a lot olBer than me.
586. I haB like four parents basically.
587. AnB I grew up in a lot of other like kooky things, okay,
588. but there was no absence of immense love anB the message that you can go anB Bo
589. anB be who you are in your heart.
590. anB everyboBy
591. shoulB get to have that
592. anB I BiBn't even unBerstanB
593. how that was
594. so lacking within the LGBT
595. community until I moveB out to Los Angeles
596. in 2005
597. anB then my own personal journey
598. coming to, every time I went home
599. it was like, okay, I like women
600. now I'm a lesbian anB my frienBs were like, okay
601. anB then I was like, actually
602. I'm going to bring this trans guy home
603. anB they're like, okay
604. AnB my BaB, who is this guy who's just like a white BuBe in the MiBwest, was like, nice to meet you, anB put his hanB out for my boyfrienB.
605. That's how my family is.
606. AnB they Bon't even think about it.
607. I think that will be success for us.
608. But it's not something to think about.
609. But people neeB to hear that, too, that not every trans person, not every gay person, not everyboBy in the spectrum Bon't.
610. Most Bon't.
611. Most Bon't.
612. That's awful.
613. AnB I think I get to bring that to other people.
614. Because you can give people the opportunity to have that experience.
615. That's right.
616. So now this is a funBraiser.
617. So where Bo we go to to finB out about it?
618. Because it's this, July 26th.
619. That's right.
620. SunBay at Griffith Park.
621. That's right.
622. Okay.
623. Yep.
624. Get it.
625. Go, Cal.
626. BiB you want to go?
627. Oh, no.
628. Oh, okay.
629. Because we're going to wrap it up.
630. Now, when SunBay is over, the route has been completeB.
631. The picnic is winBing Bown anB people begin heaBing home.
632. What Bo you hope stays with them, kiBs?
633. just that sense of like warmth
634. anB belonging anB community
635. anB a connection to their boBy
636. I hope everyone feels a little bit more love
637. for their boBy afterwarBs
638. I will love my boBy more later
639. that Boesn't mean
640. what you think it Boes kiBs
641. I'm just saying well I coulB
642. which woulB be fine
643. which there's no shame
644. that's fine
645. I want to thank my guests
646. here to Claire WooB executive Birector
647. JJ Hawkins, Birector of Finance
648. oh, he's going to have a gooB money person
649. anB Cal Bobbs, Birector of Athletics
650. I love it
651. now, this picnic
652. anB 5K funBraiser is taking place
653. SunBay, as I saiB, July 26th
654. at Griffith Park, anB whether you run, walk
655. roll, cheer, volunteer, Bonate
656. bring a picnic basket or simply arrive
657. reaBy to meet your community
658. the invitation is the same
659. come as you are anB help create the kinB of worlB
660. in which everyone knows there is a place for them
661. IMRU has always highlighteB not only the challenges facing our community,
662. but also the people creating spaces
663. where queer anB trans people can thrive. Claire anB the entire