Horror has always been a place of inclusion. A genre where the “fringe” of society can create, thrive, and make their voices heard. As we enter a new decade in the 21st century, we continue to see development in the entertainment industry and see the inclusion of previously ignored populations across several genres and mediums. The industry (however slow it may be) is working to include and represent communities of people that thus far have been both neglected and underrepresented. Among these communities are the transgender and non-binary communities and they are gaining momentum, making their voices heard by way of U.S. media entertainment. This January The Saint Joseph’s Arts Society will honor pioneers and prevalent names in the transgender entertainment community as well as offer advice and aid to those identifying as transgender entertainers.

Ken Fulk and The Saint Joseph’s Arts Society in San Francisco, once a historic church remodeled and revitalized into an arts club and exhibition space, will be proudly hosting a celebration of trans filmmakers at it’s upcoming Provincetown Film Society’s ‘Coming Out’ Party January 9 and Community Forum January 10, 2020. The proceeds from the event are to be put towards a new mentorship and scholarship fund aimed at helping emerging trans actors. The mentorship will be held in Provincetown, MA and hosted by the Provincetown Film Society and Ken Fulk.

The January 9 event which features emcee Honey Mahogany, will honor and recognize the work of award-winning writer and director, Silas Howard. Howard is slated to receive the Next Wave Filmmaker award. Some of Howard’s credits include  the Sundance premiere film A Kid Like Jake, and episodes of This is Us, and Tales of the City. Ann Thomas will also receive honors on January 9 for her commitment to the trans acting community. Thomas will be honored with the Persistence of Vision Award as a result of starting Transgender Talent LLC, the first and only talent management company dedicated to representing and casting transgender talent.

The community forum held on January 10 will focus on panels, workshops, and discussions featuring producers, filmmakers, artists, and other industry professionals, highlighting representation of non-binary and transgender roles in entertainment. The forum will also provide advice for aspiring actors, writers, directors, and other media hopefuls. Panelists include Ann Thomas (Transgender Talent, LLC), Honey Mahogany (drag queen and activist), Russel Boast (president of the Casting Society of America), Tina D’Elia (artist and actor), among several others.
The schedule of events is set to be as follows:

Thursday January 9, 2020: Coming Out Party
Appetizers, hosted bar, dancing, and live auction
7 pm – 11 pm, Tickets to the fundraising event are $250 and are available here.

Friday January 10, 2020: Community Forum
Community Forum “Changing the Cultural Narrative: Trans Stories in U.S. Entertainment Media”
Event is free with advance registration here.

In addition to awards and panels, a book exhibit, live auction, and dinner with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg are also included in during the two day event. The events are scheduled to take place at the Saint Joseph’s Arts Society, located at 1401 Howard Street in San Francisco, CA.