Review by anonymous
July 25, 2025What I liked
The meeting was virtual for those who weren’t able to attend and access the video on YouTube after the live stream at my time.
What I didn't like
As this year’s festival happened in June during Pride month and there was not much or any representation and acknowledgment of that. Also, considering it was
a really dangerous time for our LGBTQ+ community. There was transphobia in the streets of Hollywood, and ICE raids were happening all around us. While we were aware of the issues via email, there was no actual support or safety; it was disheartening to see the show and business go on as usual. It was terrifying for our community, friends, family, and others who are undocumented and were not able to attend our show despite buying tickets. While virtual performance was a thing, I didn’t feel safe as a trans person of color artist. It felt like there was very little support or acknowledgment of what we were going through. It’s not just about art, it’s about safety. If we’re gonna gather as a community, there has to be more intentional care, communication, and protection in place, especially for marginalized folks. We did what we could alone and showed up and still told our truth. But I hope future festivals take these things seriously because we deserve to create in spaces where we feel safe, supported, and seen.
My overall impression
I thought this was going to be an open forum, but it was more of an overview where they discussed the feedback, which didn’t allow time for questions and concerns from participants.
