The Stonewall Service Award is given to an organization that has supported the LGBTQ+ community over several years or made an exceptional contribution in the past year. TransFamily Support Services (TFSS) won the honor after standing firm against national hate aimed at trans youth.

“We know that the awards are generated by the community so to have the community really see and recognize our work is a very big deal,” Kathie Moehlig, Executive Director of TFSS, said.

Moehlig founded the nonprofit eight years ago following years of grassroots advocacy that started with her own transgender child when he came out at 11 years old.

“Back then people didn’t know what the word [transgender] meant much less that it affected young people. We had no doctors that were willing to work with him. Schools had no idea how to support him,” she explained. “As I was advocating for him… other families would reach out asking if I would help them with their kids.”

Eventually, she created the official TransFamily Support Services which now employs many gender variant people and has served a total of 4,000 trans individuals and their families.

“We’re a one stop shop for families of trans kids,” Moehlig said.

While based in San Diego, the organization has a national scope with a chapter in Alabama. There are virtual support groups for parents, children, young people and mentors. In addition to families of trans children from age 3-30, the organization offers medical and insurance navigation for trans people of all ages. The oldest client today is 78. TFSS also sponsors Alabama Trans Pride.

Boo Bash 2022

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1. A pair in matching skeleton costumes carried their toddler into the festival.

2. Parents escorted their kids past the cheering and waving Wall of Love participants towards the entrance of the Halloween festival.

3. The Boo Bash occurred in a fenced-off area on Normal Street surrounding the Pride flag. Several mental health professionals from Stronger Together Community Services, which often serves LGBT+ people, were among the people outside the fence participating in the Wall of Love.

4. A few vehicles, including this Save America truck, drove by in support of the protesters. A group of counter-protesters, not affiliated with the Wall of Love section, waved progress Pride and Anarchist flags while shouting back at the protesters. North County LGBTQ Resource Center Executive Director Max Disposti, who was in charge of the Wall of Love, asked the anarchist-associated group to be less confrontational while police officers observe the situation from behind the barrier. Eventually, the anti-trans protesters moved to an area at the back of the festival where the more aggressive counter-protesters confronted them until the right-wing protesters left after an hour.

5. Mayor Todd Gloria shook hands and thanked people participating in the Wall of Love. A few people, including this woman, spent the opportunity to discuss his policies face-to-face.

The work has grown over many years but this year contained special circumstances. Amid national fervor claiming LGBTQ+ people groom children, TFSS’ Halloween party became a target.

“Our little 1200 person event got national attention and national hate. It was extremely stressful,” Moehlig said.

Instead of canceling the Boo Bash, TFSS organized the community to create a Wall of Love so children attending would not be exposed to the hateful rhetoric of protesters across the street.

“To me that’s just the heart of the queer community. We all show up for each other,” she said.

The event itself was amazing according to Moehlig.

“Watching in particular our really young trans kids that are very isolated– they’re the only trans person in their family, many times they’re the only trans kid at their school, and so for them to be able to come into community and meet other kids like them and kids of all different ages and thriving adults– was major.”

She loves watching parents worried for their child’s future eventually get to see them thrive like other kids their age.

“Trans kids are like every other kid. They just need to be provided with safety and understanding,” Moehlig said.