Santa Barbara Transgender Unity March Draws Hundreds in Protest of Anti-Trans Policies

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Hundreds of people joined a Transgender Unity March in Santa Barbara on Saturday advocating for equality and justice. Organizers described the march as a response to increasing discrimination across the country.

The event began at De La Guerra Plaza with speakers sharing their stories and words of encouragement. Attendees then marched to State Street, holding signs and chanting, “Trans love, trans lives, we will not be pushed aside! Trans love, trans lives, we will not be pushed aside!”

Hunter Truax, a Santa Barbara native, spoke about the emotional impact of the event.

“Coming here and seeing all these people is so heartwarming, knowing that even those who aren’t part of the community are showing up for us, supporting us, and standing up for our rights, women’s rights, and everyone’s rights in this world,” Truax said.

President Donald Trump signed the "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order in February, which directs federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, to interpret federal Title IX rules as prohibiting the participation of transgender girls and women in female sports categories. The order establishes sweeping mandates on sex and sports policy.

According to Pew Research, 78% of LGBTQ adults expect the administration’s policies to have a negative impact on transgender people.