LA LGBT Center to Host In-Person Events for Trans Pride LA 2022

The Los Angeles LGBT Center will host annual Trans Pride LA 2022, one of the nation’s oldest and largest celebrations of the TGI/ENBY+ (Trans, Gender Non-Conforming, Intersex, Non-Binary & Gender Expansive) community. The festivities will take place at the Center’s Village at Ed Gould Plaza and Anita May Rosenstein Campus in Los Angeles on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, June 16–18. Admission to the three-day gathering is free.

“After two years of virtual Trans Pride events, we are looking forward to the return of this joyous event to The Village and Anita May Rosenstein Campus,” said Gina Bigham, the program manager of the Center’s Trans* Lounge and organizer of the event. “These last two years have been extremely hard on our community. As we watch the continued assault on trans rights across the country, we are determined to celebrate and show the world our strength and resilience.”

Trans Pride LA 2022 begins on Thursday, June 16, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. with a job fair presented by the Center’s Transgender Economic Empowerment Project. On Thursday evening, from 5–6:30 p.m., join our friends from Club Intersex for From Invisible to Inclusion: An intersectional discussion on intersex experiences and issues. This uplifting program brings together a panel of the intersex community’s thought leaders and activists that will highlight each panelist’s unique, intersectional lens.

On Friday evening, for the twelfth consecutive year, Trans Pride LA 2022 will host the Center’s ongoing community forum series, Big Queer Convo. This year’s special guest is proud Latine/x non-binary/gender fluid actor and activist, Vico Ortiz, from the smash-hit HBO Max series Our Flag Means Death. Vico will be interviewed by actor Shaan Dasani (from the digital comedy series These Thems). Admission to Big Queer Convo is free, but reservations are recommended by registering at lalgbtcenter.org/transpride.

“We are delighted, after the hiatus caused by the pandemic, to welcome our community back to the Center’s Anita May Rosenstein Campus for this beautiful celebration of pride and visibility,” said Joe Hollendoner, the Center’s incoming CEO. “Trans Pride is a signature event of Pride month, and the Center is proud to continue our role organizing it.”

Immediately following Big Queer Convo, the evening will continue with the gallery opening of SYZYGY, curated by Marval A Rex, and featuring an interdisciplinary cornucopia of artworks from Cade Moga, D Hill, Emily Lucid, Van Jazmin, and Yozmit. The exhibition will contain video work, painting, mixed media, and drawings from a dynamic selection of TGI/ENBY+ artists living and working in Los Angeles.

On Saturday, June 18, the celebration continues with a self-defense workshop presented by Harmony Lee, a flower crown-making workshop in honor of trans icon Marsha P. Johnson, presented by Classroom for Compassion. Free food trucks will be available and nearly 50 organizations will participate in a resource fair held in Pride Hall at the Center’s Anita May Rosenstein Campus. Information on a wide array of services and programs vital to the TGI/ENBY+ community will be made available to attendees.

Saturday evening activities include a Happy Hour event presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka and The VarieTy Show. This year, the show presents an amazing array of performers, including host Abdullah Hall (Artistic Director, Trans Chorus of Los Angeles), singers Ty Deran and Jakk Fynn, comedian Seven Graham, spoken word artist Jaden Fields, aerialists Louis Reyes Chavez & Samuel Petre, performance artist Yozmit, the Trans Chorus of L.A. and a special drag performance by our special guest, Vico Ortiz, aka Vico Suave!

The full schedule of Trans Pride LA 2022 will be posted online at lalgbtcenter.org/transpride.

The Trans Pride VarieTy Show is presented with the support of the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division as part of the City’s WeHo Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival (May 22–June 30). More info at weho.org/pride or @wehoarts.

Trans Pop Artist Jakk Fynn gets over a breakup while writing 'Don't Call'

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players” William Shakespeare, is the saying that Jakk Fynn follows in life. The Transmale pop artist from Honolulu, Hawaii has a different outlook on life. Although he was born in Honolulu, he moved to Southern California to live with his grandparents at a young age.

This is where he found himself and learned a lot about gender and sexuality. Although he came from a conservative family he is now out as a proud trans man. Throughout his life, his identity made him face many problems, such as a lack of acceptance from his family and minimal representation growing up. which lead him to go through chronic depression with only music being his escape.

Jakk Fynn, now stays in LA and works on creating music that lifts people's spirits. His latest release is called 'Don't Call' and it was released on 4th March 2022. He wrote Don't Call shortly after a rough breakup that ended abruptly. Towards the start, Jakk had a lot of resentment towards the ex but writing the song helped him sort through his emotions and move on without needing closure.

The track was made rather quickly with the producer cooking up a beat in a few sessions. Jakk jumped in the booth another night to freestyle melodies and lyrics to have the track ready. When we asked Jakk why he creates music, he said " I just wanted to be able to give back to others the way music gave to me."

Having different influences from artists across genres like emo, punk, pop, metal, and many more, Jakk tries to make music that is true to him. If given the chance, Jakk would like to collaborate with Cartel Madras and Raveena.

ARTISTS WHO ARE BREAKING THE SILENCE ON LGBTQIA+ STRUGGLES

Many artists use their songs as a platform to talk about LGBTQIA+ issues, relationships and experiences. Ultimately, those tracks empower others and make a statement, and they’re made by musicians who aren’t afraid to share their truth. 

Historically, the LGBTQIA+ community has been forced to hide and pretend to be who they’re not due to social “rules,” bigoted laws and the like. That’s why GLSEN, an organization dedicated to creating and maintaining LGBTQ-inclusive K-12 learning environments, hosts the annual Day Of Silence every April. This international student-led demonstration occurs when LGBTQ individuals and allies “take a vow of silence to protest the harmful effects of harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ people in schools,” says GLSEN.

Ultimately, the Day Of Silence stands against the loud roar of hatred that is routinely cast at LGBTQIA+ people and calls for breaking the silence imposed upon members of the community.

We decided to shine a light on 10 songs made by artists who tackle topics such as marriage equality, gender identity and more. These artists are fighting back, breaking the silence and sharing their truth.

“The Tyranny Of Either/Or” – Evan Greer

It’s only fitting to start this list out with Evan Greer’s powerful pop-punk anthem about the transgender community. “The Tyranny Of Either/Or” is a track from Greer’s recent release Spotify Is Surveillance and is reminiscent of ’90s punk but with a modern spin. And the video is also a mini-history lesson about transgender activism that makes the message loud and clear.

“Standing In The Way Of Control” – Gossip

Gossip let it be known that the U.S.’s attempt to outlaw same-sex marriage wasn’t going to fly if they had any say in it. The electro-indie banger encourages people to never give up when it comes to civil rights, even when it seems like the whole world is against you. 

“On Every Corner” – Ani DiFranco

Ani DiFranco‘s gut-punch of a song “On Every Corner” is a bleak and honest insight into the AIDs epidemic. The track was released at the beginning of the ’90s and truly encapsulates how helpless and dejected people felt at the time.

“They / Them / Theirs” – Worriers

Worriers‘ 2015 track “They / Them / Theirs” is all about gender expression and not accepting the binary nature of our society. The guitar-heavy track has plenty of attitude, and Grace‘s production can be easily heard on the first listen. 

“Faceshopping” – SOPHIE

SOPHIE‘s chaotic song about gender expression, hormone treatment therapy, facial feminization surgery and more is an in-your-face song about appearances. Sadly, SOPHIE died at the beginning of 2021. However, the artist’s memory will forever live on in songs that were unapologetically SOPHIE.

“Queen Of The Rodeo” – Orville Peck

Alt-country artist Orville Peck made this song and its accompanying video an ode to drag queen performers. The lyrics touch on feeling out of place but pushing through to be happy in your own skin, even if it’s different from everybody else. And if that’s not convincing enough, Dragula contestant Louisianna Purchase and drag queen Thanks Jem make a cameo in the video.

“1950” – King Princess

King Princess‘ hit debut single “1950” is an ode to LGBTQIA+ love from decades past, where those relationships had to exist privately in society. The lyrics tell a story about unrequited love and defying social norms in a song that’s both heartbreaking and beautiful. 

“If There’s A God” – Jakk Fynn

Trans pop artist Jakk Fynn‘s “If There’s A God” is a soul-crushing electro-rock song about homophobia, religion and being true to yourself, no matter what people say. It’s an honest look at the psyche of someone battling issues of gender and sexuality when everyone says who you are is wrong. Transgender pop artist Fynn explains his feelings in honest lyrics such as, “It was fucked up how you said that/I’m a pervert who likes children/That made me fear getting close to my family.” 

“Curious” – Hayley Kiyoko

Hayley Kiyoko‘s discography is full of songs about queer love and relationships, and her electro-pop song “Curious” is a perfect example. The track centers on closeted relationships and the gray area of romantic experiences regarding gender, sexuality and being yourself.

Read more over at AltPress

Trans Pop Artist Jakk Fynn Emerges Stronger from a Break-Up in 'Heal'

The end of a relationship is the beginning of something new in “Heal” from Jakk Fynn, a “transmasculine Latinx pop artist with pop-punk and post-hardcore musical roots!” And The Advocate has the exclusive video premiere of the “Heal” video off of Fynn’s EP, Cancelled.

Fynn, whose work seeks to redefine masculinity, chats about his song and video in a statement to The Advocate.

“Prior to this particular relationship that I wrote about in the song, I hadn’t been single and out as trans. When the relationship ended, it felt like I was stepping into a version of myself that I wasn’t fully acquainted with,” Fynn says. “In effect, 'Heal' not only helped me to process the immediate emotions of my breakup, but it also gave me a safe space to start to assert my masculinity individually. This was clearly healing in a much more profound way.”

A Los Angeles native, transgender pop artist Fynn’s music is entirely self-funded. He says that although he’s faced challenges along the way, he’s committed to empowering people, particularly queer people, through his art.

“Throughout my musical journey I’ve met a lot of obstacles: opposition from my family, pressures from labels, the idea that I had to present myself in any way other than who I actually am,” Fynn says. “These things never stopped me though; they just pushed me harder to find new ways to fight for my vision 100 percent on my terms.”

“Giving visibility to those who’re fighting and thriving within the queer community is one of the quickest ways to inspire others to pursue the same for themselves in whatever realm they desire,” Fynn adds. “I want to be able to include my voice in the conversation so whomever it may resonate with can hear it.”

“Heal” was borne out of trans pop artist Fynn’s experience with a break-up, but the message of self-love is universal and particularly important for queer people.

“We all need to improve on the practice of self-love and kindness. When we let the world isolate us from the reality of who we truly are, it creates a fundamental discord that leads to a lot of pain and internalized shame,” trans pop artist Fynn says. “So the closer we can get to wholly loving and accepting ourselves, the closer we can get to loving and accepting others.”

Watch the video for “Heal” on The Advocate

Transgender Latinx Singer Jakk Fynn Wants To Forge A New Path To Pop Stardom

Jakk Fynn is hopeful the music video for his new single, “Special,” is a step toward earning him — and other trans men — a seat among music’s heavy hitters.

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For up-and-coming trans pop artist Jakk Fynn, music has become both a “coping mechanism” and a way to reflect artistically on an extended period of personal grief.

Until recently, the Los Angeles-based singer was caught between a romantic partner and a friend he’d developed feelings for. In the end, both relationships went south, which left him feeling “buried beneath an avalanche of emotion.”

The losses inspired Fynn’s five-song EP “Cancelled,” out Wednesday, which features the reggaeton-infused single “Special.” The “Special” video, viewable above, finds Fynn seated at a bistro table in a desert. A uninterested-looking waiter eventually serves a round of beverages, but soon vanishes into the night by way of some inelegant jetés.

“Rejection can really wreck one’s sense of self and self-worth,” transgender pop artist Fynn told HuffPost. “The obvious point is I’m waiting for someone that never shows up.”

That feeling of abandonment is heightened by the video’s desert location, he said. “I was really trying to inject a bit of surrealism as best I could.”

If Fynn has his way, his musical career will eventually have a deeper and diversifying impact on pop culture. The singer, who is of Mexican descent and is transgender, said he is “elated” by the mainstream success of openly trans performers like Kim Petras and the cast of FX’s “Pose.” A pop artist who identifies as transmasculine, however, has yet to be embraced in any major way.

“That’s a crucial part of the spectrum that’s missing,” he explained. “Mainstream representation isn’t just important, it’s lifesaving.”

Read more over at HuffingtonPost

Trans Artist Jakk Fynn's Top TikTok Sound

Though trans artist and pop singer-songwriter Jakk Fynn has zig-zagged from lyrical jokes to hardcore with different bands and iterations of his musical career as the frontman for BoiGirl, he is secure and himself now as Jakk Fynn. His name? As Jakk says, “I found out that Jack was once used as an informal way to refer to a generic man or fellow, which serves as an affirmation to myself that I’m just another man. Fynn is inspired by the character Finn from Adventure Time, whose kind, brave, and morally sound traits match that of Jakk’s own unassuming nature.

Here are a few TikTok’s using Jakk Fynn’s cover of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”:

Trans Artist Jakk Fynn's Top Songs on Apple Music

Though trans artist and pop singer-songwriter Jakk Fynn has zig-zagged from lyrical jokes to hardcore with different bands and iterations of his musical career as the frontman for BoiGirl, he is secure and himself now as Jakk Fynn. His name? As Jakk says, “I found out that Jack was once used as an informal way to refer to a generic man or fellow, which serves as an affirmation to myself that I’m just another man. Fynn is inspired by the character Finn from Adventure Time, whose kind, brave, and morally sound traits match that of Jakk’s own unassuming nature.

Here are some of his top songs on Apple Music:

5. Jakk Fynn - Future Lover

4. Jakk Fynn - Heal

3. Jakk Fynn - Fire

2. Jakk Fynn - If There Was A God

1. Jakk Fynn - Special

Trans Artist Jakk Fynn's Top Songs on Spotify

Though trans artist and pop singer-songwriter Jakk Fynn has zig-zagged from lyrical jokes to hardcore with different bands and iterations of his musical career as the frontman for BoiGirl, he is secure and himself now as Jakk Fynn. His name? As Jakk says, “I found out that Jack was once used as an informal way to refer to a generic man or fellow, which serves as an affirmation to myself that I’m just another man. Fynn is inspired by the character Finn from Adventure Time, whose kind, brave, and morally sound traits match that of Jakk’s own unassuming nature.

Here are some of his top songs on Spotify:

5. Jakk Fynn - Future Lover

4. Jakk Fynn - Heal

3. Jakk Fynn - Fire

2. Jakk Fynn - Special

2. Jakk Fynn - If There’s A God