News and Events => People news => Topic started by: Lara the Lover and the Fighter on September 12, 2014, 10:01:41 PM Return to Full Version
Title: ‘Transvisible: Bamby Salcedo’s Story’ explores life of transgender Latina activi
Post by: Lara the Lover and the Fighter on September 12, 2014, 10:01:41 PM
Post by: Lara the Lover and the Fighter on September 12, 2014, 10:01:41 PM
'Transvisible: Bamby Salcedo's Story' explores life of transgender Latina activist
By Phillip Zonkel, Long Beach Press Telegram
POSTED: 09/12/14, 7:43 PM PDT
Bamby Salcedo is a survivor and a fighter.
She has been homeless, a crystal meth addict and a prostitute, but since getting clean and sober 13 years ago, Salcedo has turned into a renowned powerhouse transgender Latina activist, who runs the transgender youth program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
She also is a tireless advocate for the LGBT immigrant community and people who are living with HIV and/or AIDS.
The documentary "Transvisible: Bamby Salcedo's Story" shows how Salcedo, a Guadalajara, Mexico, native who eventually settled in Glendale, turned her daunting personal challenges into the seeds of her activism.
The film will be shown Sunday as part of the QFilm Festival. The long-running LGBT film festival will take place from today to Sunday at the Art Theatre of Long Beach, and the neighboring Long Beach LGBTQ Center.
"All the things Bamby had to overcome were very brave," said Dante Alencastre, director of "Transvisible." "Her story and the battles she triumphed over, especially her addiction to crystal meth, are empowering."
In June, Salcedo was recognized by Lambda Legal — the nation's oldest and largest group fighting for civil rights for people with HIV/AIDS and the LGBT community — at its 22nd Liberty Awards in Beverly Hills.
Lambda Legal honored Salcedo for her activism and work on HIV prevention, substance-abuse treatment and prevention and professional development for queer and transgender people.
"I have known, respected, admired and adored Bamby for a long time," said Jenny Pizer, senior attorney at Lambda Legal. "Her community service spans a number of different types of work, which makes her worthy for calling out for special recognition."
Alencastre said he knew Salcedo was special during an early encounter about six years ago. Alencastre heard Salcedo speak at an anti-Proposition 8 rally in West Hollywood. Proposition 8 was the voter-approved ballot measure that outlawed same-sex marriage, but was eventually ruled unconstitutional.
"Bamby was the cat's meow. She was so fiery," Alencastre said. "She was so different from any of the other transgender people I had met. She was not into her looks or her body. She was into the message."
Salcedo's message is one of empowering people who feel or believe they have been written off, discriminated or ignored by mainstream society, Pizer said.
"Bamby works with and outreaches to people who are used to being excluded from mainstream society for a variety of reasons, for example, their gender identity or their language," Pizer said.
"So many times, the LGBT immigrant community feels very vulnerable," Pizer said, "but Bamby is there outreaching to them."
Contact Phillip Zonkel at 562-714-2098.
By Phillip Zonkel, Long Beach Press Telegram
POSTED: 09/12/14, 7:43 PM PDT
Bamby Salcedo is a survivor and a fighter.
She has been homeless, a crystal meth addict and a prostitute, but since getting clean and sober 13 years ago, Salcedo has turned into a renowned powerhouse transgender Latina activist, who runs the transgender youth program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
She also is a tireless advocate for the LGBT immigrant community and people who are living with HIV and/or AIDS.
The documentary "Transvisible: Bamby Salcedo's Story" shows how Salcedo, a Guadalajara, Mexico, native who eventually settled in Glendale, turned her daunting personal challenges into the seeds of her activism.
The film will be shown Sunday as part of the QFilm Festival. The long-running LGBT film festival will take place from today to Sunday at the Art Theatre of Long Beach, and the neighboring Long Beach LGBTQ Center.
"All the things Bamby had to overcome were very brave," said Dante Alencastre, director of "Transvisible." "Her story and the battles she triumphed over, especially her addiction to crystal meth, are empowering."
In June, Salcedo was recognized by Lambda Legal — the nation's oldest and largest group fighting for civil rights for people with HIV/AIDS and the LGBT community — at its 22nd Liberty Awards in Beverly Hills.
Lambda Legal honored Salcedo for her activism and work on HIV prevention, substance-abuse treatment and prevention and professional development for queer and transgender people.
"I have known, respected, admired and adored Bamby for a long time," said Jenny Pizer, senior attorney at Lambda Legal. "Her community service spans a number of different types of work, which makes her worthy for calling out for special recognition."
Alencastre said he knew Salcedo was special during an early encounter about six years ago. Alencastre heard Salcedo speak at an anti-Proposition 8 rally in West Hollywood. Proposition 8 was the voter-approved ballot measure that outlawed same-sex marriage, but was eventually ruled unconstitutional.
"Bamby was the cat's meow. She was so fiery," Alencastre said. "She was so different from any of the other transgender people I had met. She was not into her looks or her body. She was into the message."
Salcedo's message is one of empowering people who feel or believe they have been written off, discriminated or ignored by mainstream society, Pizer said.
"Bamby works with and outreaches to people who are used to being excluded from mainstream society for a variety of reasons, for example, their gender identity or their language," Pizer said.
"So many times, the LGBT immigrant community feels very vulnerable," Pizer said, "but Bamby is there outreaching to them."
Contact Phillip Zonkel at 562-714-2098.
Title: Re: ‘Transvisible: Bamby Salcedo’s Story’ explores life of transgender Latina activi
Post by: Vicky on September 17, 2014, 08:03:20 PM
Post by: Vicky on September 17, 2014, 08:03:20 PM
I have seen this film (actually twice) and have met both Bamby and Dante who made the film, along with the fact that another young friend appears in it in a cameo shot. Do see it if you can.
Title: Re: ‘Transvisible: Bamby Salcedo’s Story’ explores life of transgender Latina activi
Post by: Blue Senpai on September 17, 2014, 08:13:19 PM
Post by: Blue Senpai on September 17, 2014, 08:13:19 PM
First Latina transgender person I've ever heard of. If people think acceptance in the United States is bad, look towards South America.