From ICE raids and spirituality to sex work and babysitting, ‘Trans Los Angeles’ documents life in the city

by

Upon alighting the bus, I found myself witnessing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation at the pupusería where I worked in Los Angeles. As an undocumented transgender Salvadoran woman, I hid behind a car as my colleagues – another fellow trans Central American woman included – were handcuffed and led away during daylight hours.

In the course of her prayers, Mayela, portrayed by Fernanda Celarie, expresses her initial optimism upon arriving in this country. However, now that she’s settled and found some comfort, she finds herself in a distressing situation – almost like a nightmare. She wonders aloud, “Why is there so much pain and hardship?

In a prelude to the current Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and related demonstrations in Los Angeles, the director Kase Peña, who helms “Trans Los Angeles“, had already penned that particular scene into her movie. The grim apprehension that many undocumented residents of the city experience was a stark truth she felt compelled to incorporate.

In 2021, ICE was a significant topic of discussion, and it eventually cooled off. However, as I prepare for my film’s premiere at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival on May 30, I find that the subject remains just as pertinent and vital. Regrettably, the current occupant of the White House has rekindled the ICE issue, making my film even more relevant and important in today’s context. Consequently, the portion of the movie dealing with ICE will not appear outdated; instead, it will resonate just as strongly.

California

The mayor, identified as Bass, declared a curfew over downtown L.A., due to four successive evenings of intermittently disorderly demonstrations. Meanwhile, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been extending its presence into remote towns, following a series of coordinated operations in urban zones within Los Angeles County.

Peña aimed to accomplish this with her full-length film, which is divided into three separate scenes that don’t overlap, each offering a glimpse into various challenges encountered by everyday Los Angeles residents.

Hailing from New York, this Dominican-American filmmaker resided there before relocating to Los Angeles around ten years back. Her decision to create a movie stemmed from observing an absence of authentic trans narratives that resonated with her local community’s experiences.

When Peña began associating with the trans community in Los Angeles, his initial goal wasn’t to share those particular stories. Instead, he felt that there was a gap or absence that needed to be filled, and as a filmmaker who is also transgender, he believed himself uniquely positioned to do so.

As a movie lover with a passion for capturing authentic narratives, I found myself deeply inspired by my own life experiences as a member of the trans community in Los Angeles, as well as the compelling stories shared by my fellow community members. However, when it came to crafting the format of “Trans Los Angeles,” I looked beyond our local scene and drew inspiration from the diverse storytelling techniques found in global cinema.

The director drew inspiration from the influential political work “Soy Cuba” (originally from Soviet Union and Cuba) for the structure of her movie. Initially, she aimed to replicate its four episodes, but due to funding limitations often encountered by independent filmmakers, she could not finance the fourth scene focusing on a character identifying as transmasculine.

Entertainment & Arts

Performers who identify as transgender channel their concerns about elections into performances in West Hollywood and San Diego. Their aim is to ensure that their perspectives are included in the evolving political environment.

She often receives questions such as, “Why aren’t the stories connected?” Her explanation is that doing so makes her life as an independent filmmaker more challenging due to financial constraints. If she had a million dollars, she could weave the stories together, but her budget only allowed for shooting one segment at a time, not all three.

Due to various constraints, the production of “Trans Los Angeles” spanned multiple years. The initial short, titled “Period,” was captured in March 2021; “Feliz Cumpleaños” followed swiftly in June. However, “Trans Day of Remembrance” encountered financial difficulties and was eventually documented in November 2023 on Peña’s iPhone. For the outdoor scenes of this final segment, they used locations that hadn’t been officially approved for filming – the crew arrived at a location without the necessary permits or insurance to record.

She explained that one reason she chose to film it with her iPhone was due to the guerrilla filmmaking approach. If anyone had asked what they were doing, she would have replied, “We’re just making something for Instagram on my iPhone.” This would usually result in a casual response like, “Oh, okay.

In the story titled “Period”, the focus shifts to Vergara, a transgender Latina woman who was once imprisoned, portrayed by actress and model Carmen Carrera. Her character secures employment as a nanny for a young girl, simultaneously maintaining a sideline in sex work.

California

As an ardent cinephile, I’ve had the privilege to witness the profound impact of LGBTQ+ narratives on audiences from all walks of life. These heartfelt stories not only resonate deeply but also serve as beacons of hope, particularly during challenging political times. The unity within this vibrant community and their remarkable victories in the past instill a sense of optimism that transcends the screen and into our daily lives.

According to Carrera, the reason she became involved with the project is that Pena’s script provided her an opportunity to bring a fully fleshed-out character to life.

Carrera explained to The Times that being trans is often devalued, with statements like “you’re not valuable,” “you shouldn’t exist,” or “you don’t belong around children.” This sentiment resonates with Carrera personally as she plays active roles in her family and society. She stressed that being trans is simply a part of her life, not the entirety of it. She felt a connection to Vergara because this has been her experience too – people constantly judging her.

One connecting point between Carrera’s and Vergara’s characters was their portrayal of the daughter-mother relationship.

She noted, “As a first-generation American, there’s an additional level of thought that often arises: ‘My parents moved to this nation and gave up so much, and if I fail to honor their pride, it will feel like all their sacrifices were in vain.’

At the heart of “Period”, Vergara’s narrative revolved around the community she connected with, courtesy of the TransLatin@ Coalition – a genuine advocacy organization based in L.A., dedicated to establishing secure environments for transgender, gender-diverse, and intersex immigrant women within the city.

California

Individuals standing at the intersection of various freedom-seeking movements propel us ahead, tackling the pursuit of equality with a sense of immediate importance.

Peña mentioned that the TransLatin@ Coalition is featured in the film because he personally initiated it. In reality, he has visited the TransLatin@ organization to utilize their services for trans individuals of color. Since he’s a writer and frequently visits this place, he felt inspired to narrate their story and incorporate them into his work.

In this part of the article, we’re focusing on “Trans Day of Remembrance,” a name given to commemorate the day, November 20th, when we honor the memories of individuals who tragically lost their lives as a result of transphobia.

In this narrative, we delve into the life of Phoebe (Austria Wang), a Taiwanese American woman who identifies as transgender. She navigates her romantic affairs and deals with the grief of losing one of her transgender friends. For the scene in question, Peña chose to cast Jordan Gonzalez, a transmasculine actor, to portray Sam, Phoebe’s non-transgender boyfriend.

In a recent statement, Pena noted that Gonzalez has taken on their first cisgender role in the industry. This is a shift from their usual trans roles, which they’ve been eager to explore for some time now. However, the industry often overlooks this aspect of Gonzalez due to its preconceived notions, viewing them solely as trans. Pena believes that with this new role, others might start considering Gonzalez for cisgender roles as well.

Lifestyle

Playful smacks, passionate kissing sprees, and an exhilarating drag performance: This wrestling competition is far from the ordinary.

In the concluding part, “Happy Birthday” symbolizes an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid on a Salvadoran business, all while narrating Mayela’s dreams and ambitions for her life as she readies herself for her baptism at a church welcoming of LGBTQ+ individuals.

To fully understand and authenticate her script, Peña sought guidance from genuine inhabitants of Salvador, being an outsider to their cultural experience.

Peña expressed that she feels it’s important to clarify her background as a Dominican filmmaker who is also of color and transgender. She has noticed that often, filmmakers from different communities portray her story without fully understanding it, winning major awards in the process. Peña doesn’t want to disrespect the community by doing the same.

California

The upcoming wave of leaders and intellectuals from the LGBTQ+ community are shaping a world where queer identities are dynamic and continually changing. Their calls for change echo a desire for complete, revolutionary understanding and acceptance.

Peña highlights that the film narrates tales that resonate deeply with the fight and charm of humanity in Los Angeles.

However, it should be noted that while her movie offers a piece of the broader trans experience, it is just one specific set of tales. These narratives are shaped by an author whose core beliefs can be summarized by her personal perspective on her own trans identity.

In simpler terms, “Transgender for me isn’t about blending in or ‘passing.’ Being transgender is about having the liberty to be yourself,” as stated by Peña. “I’m not aiming to appear like a woman; this is who I am. That’s it, whatever that may entail.

Read More

2025-06-18 04:01