Diamonds Unite: The Unstoppable Fight for Trans Rights in Los Angeles

Powerful female activists champion the rights of the transgender community in Los Angeles and offer assistance as well.

Words by Jimena Sandoval, @jimenasv387 . Photos by Zaydee Sanchez, @zaydee.s . Edited by Valeria Fernández, @valfernandez .

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At her place in Los Angeles, Jessica, who is 67 years old, meticulously organizes parcels of food inside her garage. She arranges items like rice, beans, cans, and loaves of bread ensuring they're sufficient for individual servings. While positioning these packages into her vehicle for delivery to an assistance organization, she remarks, “I prepare small bundles for the ladies, but this effort has proven quite challenging.” After loading her car with around 30 provisions supplied by a buddy sourced locally, she prepares herself for distribution. food bank .

Jessica understands the struggle of having neither a meal nor a bed to sleep in. At 17, she escaped from violence in her home country of Mexico and made her way to the United States. After facing rejection by her parents due to her gender identity and experiencing assault and theft back in her hometown, she crossed the border through Tijuana. When Jessica reached Los Angeles, she had absolutely nothing.

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"When the Hollywood celebrities were around, that’s where I stayed. I began offering my services for just five dollars, merely to get something to eat, engaging in prostitution at such a tender age,” she remembers. The name Jessica is a pseudonym employed to safeguard her well-being; numerous transgender women who came of age during the ‘70s and ‘80s encountered life on the streets, faced violent acts, and endured societal neglect, which led to their exclusion and deprived them of respect and basic human rights.

Although Jessica left the streets after marrying her late husband, several of her acquaintances continue to endure that harsh reality. Arcadia, a petite woman with sun-kissed blonde hair, exudes intelligence, wit, and unapologetic candor whenever she talks; despite being 84 years old, she presently resides in a women's shelter where instead of offering safety, it leaves her perpetually insecure.

Arcadia expresses concern, wearing her jewels and a snug, beige, flesh-colored gown, saying, "We're afraid that someone with bias might tell us 'This isn’t your place,' leaving us homeless once more." This worry holds weight since the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has documented such incidents. Recently removed the rules that safeguarded transgender individuals in shelters funded by the government. This choice endangers many homeless transgender individuals.

Arcadia has experienced numerous phases throughout her life. She performed at various clubs in cities such as Miami, New York, and Las Vegas, playing shows in venues frequented by heterosexual audiences—considered relatively safe spaces for transgender women back then—and felt secure from potential attacks post-performance. Additionally, she participated in Elizabeth Taylor’s AIDS initiative, helping individuals living with HIV/AIDS, and has remained active in advocacy work. Presently, however, Arcadia finds herself homeless and lacks a steady source of income.

According to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, In the U.S., 19% of transgender individuals have faced homelessness because of their gender identity. Furthermore, when they attempted to use shelters, 55% encountered harassment from either staff members or other occupants, 29% were denied entry and told they could not stay there, and 22% became victims of sexual assault within these facilities.

For Jessica and Arcadia, who are both transgender women past the age of 50, growing older with grace might seem like an idealistic notion. However, they demonstrate that this is indeed achievable. As observers and key figures in pivotal social movements, they have played essential roles within The Diamonds—a powerful political group—helping to drive considerable advancements. The TransLatin@ Coalition (TLC) is an organization led by transgender individuals that champions policies safeguarding the rights of TGI Latinx people while providing services aimed at enhancing the overall wellbeing of the TGI community.

As members of this collective, they have significantly contributed to the TGI (transgender, gender-expansive, and intersex) community. They've notably assisted in establishing new initiatives within it. TGIF Wellness & Equity Fund , which backs crucial programs in housing, health, and employment. As per the 2023 report, State of Pride Report, In California, approximately 2.8 million adults identify as LGBTQ+, accounting for 9.5% of the state’s adult populace. Currently, The Diamonds are advocating for the rights of immigrant transgender women and working to develop policies aimed at enhancing their quality of life. Nonetheless, the looming fear persists due to the potential rollback of these advancements under the new Trump administration, particularly because his regime has shown increasing coordination against the transgender and gender-nonconforming communities.

'I believe they'll continue fighting until their final moments, I think they will keep going until they're completely exhausted, I believe they'll persist until they collapse, I think they'll struggle until they pass away.'

Following these attacks, President and CEO Bamby Salcedo’s organization has stepped up its advocacy for the rights of TGI individuals not just in Los Angeles but also elsewhere. "We highly appreciate the reciprocal support within our organization because our transgender ancestors lacked access to such essential resources needed for survival," ” Salcedo states that TLC has played a crucial role in guiding fellow leaders, activists, and community members to shape policies that improve conditions for marginalized groups and individuals such as Arcadia, particularly transgender women of color who are escaping violence in their homelands, similar to Jessica’s experience.

According to the Trans Legislation Tracker, A research group tracking legislation affecting transgender and non-binary individuals throughout the U.S. reported that over 660 anti-trans bills were submitted nationally in 2024, out of which 45 have been enacted into law. Currently, 581 such bills remain under discussion this year.

An Historical Suffering That Transformed Into Activism

Under the guidance of TLC and Self Help Graphics An organization dedicated to uplifting Chicana/o and Latinx artists via cutting-edge art projects, The Diamonds produced an AIDS memorial quilt—a potent emblem of life triumphing over death. This piece converts sorrow into remembrance and defiance, frequently being utilized during their activist endeavors. As the TLC’s policy and community engagement coordinator, Mito Aviles advocates for measures ensuring access to housing, legal support, and job opportunities. Additionally, Mito holds a position as the Arts and Culture Commissioner in West Hollywood, merging artistic expressions with acts of resistance. He underscores how these older transgender women have reshaped both their personal narratives and global perspectives towards them. "Art can be a form of advocacy, a means of self-expression, and even a catalyst for revolutionary change," explains Mito.

The struggle faced by transgender individuals has always been an integral part of the movement. “gay liberation ,” From Stonewall (a series of protests and uprisings that occurred in New York City in 1969) to struggles for civil rights. The figures highlighted include Sylvia Rivera , who spearheaded the Stonewall riots and co-founded STARS (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries) to aid homeless transgender young people. Nevertheless, difficulties continue to exist today, as illustrated by The Diamonds' ordeal and the circumstances surrounding Arcadia in her later years.

Mito Aviles envisions a respectful retirement for transgender individuals. Amidst today’s critical circumstances, The Diamonds continue to create history, emphasizing that the struggle for equality is an ongoing battle with no end in sight and that annihilation isn’t feasible when history is unfolding before our eyes. "I believe they'll persist until their final moments; I truly think they'll carry on fighting as long as humanly possible," states Aviles. Concurrently, a government directive has been proposed that acknowledges solely two sexes heightens the risk for transgender communities.

Arcadia feels “(It’s) about time to get out of this s**t,” when asked about housing, although she's grateful to still have a place to stay. The road has been long and uncertain, especially now that the agency responsible for matching Arcadia with a home is facing possible restructuring after a court-ordered audit identified insufficient financial oversight which leaves the agency susceptible to mismanagement. Despite this, Arcadia continues to be actively involved with The Diamonds and looks forward to the release of the film “ Trillion Cut: Diamonds of Endurance ," highlighting her fortitude and resilience along with those of five additional Diamond members.

Meanwhile, Jessica continues to be recognized for her tireless work, supporting those most in need with the bags she distributes. Both she and Arcadia inspire change, even when they’re facing challenges and barriers, ensuring that the history of the TGI community is written with dignity, resilience, and pride.

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Jimena Sandoval Is a socially engaged communicator who received her education at the Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas (UCA) in El Salvador. Known as an entrepreneur and communicator, she leads efforts to advocate for equality and increased representation within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Through founding Noisy Digital, which stands out as the premier transgender-led digital marketing firm, Jimena dedicates herself to uplifting underrepresented groups, with particular emphasis on the TGI (transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex) populace. Her work extends across notable projects in collaboration with entities such as The TransLatin@ Coalition and Bienestar Human Services. Leveraging extensive experience in public relations and marketing, Jimena amplifies the narratives and perspectives of individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, fostering meaningful transformation and openings for advancement. @jimenasv387

Zaydee Sanchez Is a Mexican-American visual storyteller, documentary photographer, and author hailing from Tulare, California, situated within the San Joaquin Valley. Her mission involves bringing attention to lesser-known groups and untold stories, particularly concerning issues of labor, gender, and displacement. Zaydee has received grants from the International Women’s Media Foundation and was named a 2021 fellow at the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism. Her photography and writings have appeared in platforms such as Al Jazeera, National Geographic, and NPR. Currently, she resides in Los Angeles. @zaydee.s

Valeria Fernández She is an acclaimed journalist, filmmaker, and producer who began her professional journey with a small Spanish-language publication based in Phoenix, Arizona. Early on, she mastered crafting stories aimed directly at immigrant audiences instead of merely covering their narratives. Her work later expanded into English-speaking platforms such as The Guardian, Pacific Standard, Latino USA, and PRX’s The World. Notably, Valeria was honored with the American Mosaic Journalism Prize for her insightful coverage of lesser-represented groups. Previously holding the position of managing editor at palabra, she also established Altavoz Lab—an entity dedicated to empowering local reporters working with disenfranchised populations. @valfernandez