A California nonprofit dedicated to helping transgender and gender-nonconforming people find good jobs is looking to expand its mission in 2025, back from the brink of closure last year.

Trans Can Work, based in Los Angeles, shut down last January when its funding fell through and reopened in June thanks to a 3-year grant from the James Irvine Foundation.

Toni Newman, board chair of the group, said the trans community suffers from extremely high rates of unemployment.

"Every American, regardless of who they are -- race, age, and gender -- should be able to get a job in America that they're qualified for and have some type of economic security," Newman contended. "Why are our numbers so high, at 65% living at the poverty level or below? Just because we are different? That's un-American, and it's wrong."

A 2021 study from the McKinsey company found transgender adults are twice as likely as their cisgender peers to be unemployed. When they do find a job, they make 32% less money per year, even with similar or higher education levels. They also found more than half of transgender employees said they are not comfortable being "out" at work. And two-thirds remain in the closet in professional interactions outside their own companies.

Newman noted the job center's goal for 2025 is to place at least 500 clients in new careers.

"We help you with your resume, help you with your clothing, help you to get ready for the interview, get you a laptop if you need a laptop," Newman outlined. "Then walk you into the interview and help place you in the job."

Trans Can Work also receives support from the Transgender, Gender Diverse, and Intersex Wellness and Health Equity Unit of the California Department of Public Health.

June is Pride Month, and Washington's Lavender Rights Project is celebrating with a Black Trans Comedy Showcase. This is the largest fundraiser of the year for the nonprofit, which provides legal and social services for Black trans people.

Angel Patterson, director of development for Lavender Rights, said in the wake of increased attacks on trans rights across the country, the showcase prioritizes the community's health, safety, and joy.

"We are your family too," Patterson explained. "We are your mothers, your brothers, your sisters, your aunties, uncles, cousins, friends, bosses, coworkers. We're all paying parking tickets and taxes the same as everyone else."

Patterson said the showcase will be on June 14th in Seattle and will feature performers from Washington and across the country, including T.S. Madison and Mx Dahlia Belle.

So far, 923 bills targeting trans rights have been introduced across the country this year, and over 100 have passed. Patterson explains that the idea for the showcase came after hearing trans people used as punchlines for jokes in the media.

"Instead of a traditional protest we wanted to reclaim our power in another way that felt sacred to us and this event is truly that and it's a wonderful night to bring our folks together and highlight our work and really just feel the power of pride," Patterson continued.

The comedy showcase will also have auction items to help raise money for the project such as plane tickets, glass blowing classes, concert and sports tickets.

Indiana's largest LGBTQ+ celebration kicks off this weekend as Indy Pride marks its 30th anniversary.

The event expands this year to two days, featuring three major events in downtown Indianapolis. A parade steps off Saturday at 10 a.m. on Mass Ave., followed by a free community gathering at Monument Circle and a two-day concert at American Legion Mall.

Tina Robb, marketing director for Indy Pride, expects tens of thousands of people to attend, and said this year's message is about visibility and unity.

"Pride started out as a protest and as we are seeing in 2025, our rights are being stripped away daily," Robb pointed out. "While it started as a protest, it's going to continue as a protest. And this is our 30th anniversary, so we chose to be loud and bigger than ever this year."

Organizers said the expanded festival reflects both the urgency of the moment and the power of community. June is Pride month and takes place against high profile pushback on equality initiatives by the Trump administration.

Robb noted while some fear rising hate or tension, organizers said they are creating space for joy and safety.

"We can feel the fear," Robb acknowledged. "We can feel the joy is not as high as it normally is, but we need to remember that joy is an act of resistance. We are here for a reason. We have always existed, and we will continue to exist."

Indy Pride expects up to 60,000 people to attend Saturday's parade.


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As Pride events take shape in June, Minnesota organizers recognize a more hostile political climate this year toward LGBTQ+ populations. It has resulted in mixed feelings but a renewed desire to stand tall in their communities.

With the Trump administration pushing to roll back Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs and funding, corporations have followed suit in fear of being singled out by the White House. It has led to a more muted public celebration of people who identify as queer and/or transgender.

Khrys Wetzel, community organizer for the Taking Back Pride Coalition, is it will be fine if corporate support goes away because he believes such partnerships always seemed hollow.

"You gotta actually stand for something and not just for the moment because we're not just here during June," Wetzel urged.

Twin Cities Pride already severed ties with Minnesota-based Target after it limited the scope of its DEI work but the coalition wants all corporate sponsors for the event to be pulled, as well as law enforcement involvement. Other large Pride celebrations face budget shortfalls because of diminished corporate backing, but Wetzel argued community-driven leadership and donations create a more authentic and transparent gathering.

Aron Schnaser, volunteer coordinator of Itasca Pride in northern Minnesota, said there is a sense of fear this year but it is not deterring attendees from celebrating. In fact, he predicted a combination of joy and solidarity.

Schnaser stressed he does not think new backlash, aligned with conservative ideology, is enough to drown out the acceptance they get from friends and neighbors.

"Those who are pushing back against us weren't there last year, and if anything, it makes people more aware of us," Schnaser emphasized.

Schnaser added alliances help build a network to address service gaps for LGBTQ+ people, such as mental health care, in light of the changing narrative in the United States. While organizers for events elsewhere face calls to keep police at bay, Schnaser underscored they have a good relationship with municipal leaders and local law enforcement.


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