A Trans, Mexican-American woman in Fresno says her non-profit is a safe space for LGBTQ+ people of color to be their true selves amid the Trump administration’s anti-trans legislation.
Lady Diana Feliz Oliva is the founder of Casita Feliz, or “happy little home.” She says her non-profit emphasizes celebrating one’s identity to the fullest extent in a space curated by Queer, Latine people for Queer, Latine people.
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“We want you to be proud and celebrate your brown heritage as well as your queer heritage,” Oliva said. “Because both communities come from really amazing, warrior-like ancestors.”
Oliva says now is the time to channel that warrior ancestry and come together to power through the next four years of the Trump administration.
“We may not have the answers for the next four years,” Oliva said. “We want you to empower yourselves.”
Oliva says the mission of Casita Feliz is to help people empower themselves, allowing anyone who feels they’ve been marginalized to be themselves and feel at ease.
“Having monthly activities that bring the people together in a celebratory attitude innately reduces stress and reduces anxiety and the feeling of isolation,” Oliva said.
The drive to protect Fresno’s LGBTQ+ community is behind the “Drag for a Cause” event Splash Fresno – which will benefit Casita Feliz.
“Employees at Splash have volunteered to dress in drag and put on several musical lip-sync performances to support Casita Feliz,” Oliva said. “We celebrate drag almost at every event – drag queens were the original fighters and revolutionaries of the LGBT movement that started in the 60s.”
Growing up as a trans, Chicana in Sanger in the 70s and 80s with four siblings, Oliva says she wants to make sure Casita Feliz is also dedicated to helping the cisgender family members of LGBTQ+ people.
“A lot of our participants that come to our monthly activities are actually our cisgender, straight allies who have family members that identify as brown or queer,” Oliva said.
“It’s amazing to see the amount of ally support and partnership with our communities.”
