At a recent dinner with my friend Steve Rothaus, we both discussed how the face of activism and advocacy has changed post-marriage equality.

While Trump’s election served as a temporary reuniting force — for most of our community — not much else has been able to generate the community unity and engagement required to drive real social change on issues affecting the LGBT community.

Both Steve and I share a common concern for the health and safety of our trans brothers and sisters and would like to see our local LGBT community more actively involved and invested in all of our causes and concerns. 

The very same people who are fighting to limit the rights and protections in our legislatures and court systems are the same people who fought against our right to marry.   The very same kinds of people who assault trans people in our streets are the same people who commit gay bashings.

Make no mistake, the people that fought against the LGB didn’t go away, they are just more intensely focused on the T.

To be clear, there are organizations and individuals in our community that is stepping up in support of the trans community.  Here are a few examples of action and advocacy happening in our community:

• Just in time for Pride Fort Lauderdale this weekend, the City of Fort Lauderdale commissioned a rainbow crosswalk near Sebastian Beach utilizing the new “Progress” flag, which brings awareness to marginalized communities including trans individuals. 
• Pride Fort Lauderdale & Trans Pride are sponsoring the Trans Day of Remembrance at Pride Center in Fort Lauderdale. Trans Pride is shutting down early on Saturday to ensure people have time to get to the Pride Center in time for the event which begins at 6 p.m. and includes a march to the mural honoring Black Trans live at Wilton Collective and concluding with the TDoR remembrance ceremony begins at 7 pm. 
• The City of Wilton Manors began lighting up city hall on Wednesday, Nov. 17 with trans colors, and they run for a full week, in honor of Trans Day of Remembrance. 
• Arianna’s Center is celebrating its 6th Anniversary and raising money for their new Wilton Manors space with a dinner/open bar reception at Sunshine Cathedral concluding with a live-streamed program with a speaker roundtable (including myself) on Thursday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m.  (Tickets are only $25 and available at https://bit.ly/3oxWPkz. If you missed the live event, go online to watch the live stream.)

This is certainly not a conclusive list of what’s happening in our community in support of our trans community, but I might suggest as a community we can and must do even more than what we are doing today to amplify the voices of the trans community, protect their rights, and promote their human dignity.

Are you doing something to support trans rights or are you interested in learning how you can get more involved? I welcome your email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via text at 954.557.2801.

- Chris Caputo, Wilton Manors City Commissioner