As the first of its kind in Long Beach, IF LAB: TRANSGENDER will be a landmark event that will connect local experts with community members in an effort to facilitate the exploration of transgender space in Long Beach. On Tuesday, February 3, from 7:00PM to 10:00PM, The Aquarium of the Pacific will host a free, interactive forum, which will include a community discussion and a moderated panel of open and honest dialogue.
In partnership with LGBTQ Center of Long Beach and Leadership Long Beach, the featured panel will be comprised of Bamby Salcedo, a nationally-recognized Latina transgender activist, Alexandra Billings, known for her groundbreaking role on Amazon’s Original Series and Golden Globe-winning Transparent and Pat Manuel, boxer and founder of Buff Butch. The audience will be highly encouraged to participate in the discussion. Following the panel singer and songwriter Joe Stevens will give a live performance.
“I am thrilled that Leadership Long Beach alumni have placed the transgender community front and center for their first standalone IF LAB,” said Porter Gilberg, panel moderator and executive director for the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach, in a statement. “Transgender and gender non-conforming people continue to face tremendous risk simply stepping outside their doors every day. This forum is one step in the right direction toward creating stronger, safer and more affirming communities for everyone.’
The IF LAB series stems from Idea Fest Long Beach, an annual festival that attempts to activate the community through Inspiration, Discussions, Education and Arts. The next Idea Fest is set to take place on Saturday, May 30 at Orizaba Park and the immediate surrounding area. For updates, you can visit the Facebook Page.
Leadership Long Beach, founded in 1989, is one of our community’s most influential organizations. The founders envisioned the formation of a civic improvement program that would grow to serve the community by educating and motivating leaders on issues important to the future and sustainability of our city. The Institute, Youth Leadership Long Beach and Executive Quick Start are the organization’s three principled programs, that produce leaders with shared experiences, associations and values that enable them to set imaginative, yet realistic goals and strategies for the sake of our city.
While the event is free and open to the public, those interested are required to obtain a ticket by clicking here. A little over 100 tickets have been sold so far.