Fresno’s transgender community worried about increase in hate incidents | Opinion
Diana Feliz Oliva does not need to glance at the Hate Crime in California 2024 report to know there is an increase of hate crime incidents against her transgender community. Neither does Kari Nati Castillo.
The report, released Wednesday by state Attorney General Rob Bonta, shows anti-transgender bias events statewide increased by 12.3% from 2023 to 2024. Hate incidents, as defined by the state Department of Justice, are actions or behaviors motivated by hate that may be protected by the First Amendment right to freedom of expression. That would include name-calling, insults or distributing hate material in public places.
“There is absolutely no place for hate in California,” Bonta said on Wednesday. “Transparent and accessible data is a critical part of understanding where we are and how we can end hate crimes in our communities.
“Everyone has a part to play as we continue to fight intolerance in California, and I urge leaders up and down the state to review the data and resources available and recommit to standing united against hate.”
Oliva — who goes by the name Lady Diana — and Castillo, both transgender women and Latinas, said the fear in their community is far greater than during President Donald Trump’s first term.
“The fear is 10 times more this time around,” Castillo said.
The evidence, in addition to the state hate crimes report, supports them.
Trump has done much to disparage the transgender community in his five months in office. Shortly after being sworn in for his second term, Trump signed an executive order titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.”
That set the stage for his Education Secretary Linda McMahon to give California 10 days to rescind any awards given to transgender athletes and ban them from competition — on the exact same day the hate crime report came out. She also asked the state Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation, which she accused of violating Title IX, to send personalized apology letters to female athletes who lost to a transgender female competitor.
At the CIF state meet held in Clovis on May 30-31, officials allowed a transgender girl to compete in three field events where she won two events and placed second in the other. Cisgender competitors shared the two first- and second-place medals with her.
Casita Feliz crippled by loss of state grant
Last year before Trump took office, state legislatures across the country proposed more than 530 bills targeting LGBTQ+ people.
At its July 8 meeting, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors will discuss county involvement in the Pride Parade.
Even before Trump took office, the transgender community in Fresno has faced challenges when it comes to housing, health care and mental services. With Trump more determined now than ever to drive transgender individuals out of the military and other federal departments, I understand why Lady Diana and Castillo have reason to be fearful.
“I think Trump really knows the power he holds,” said Lady Diana, who is struggling to keep her 2-year-old nonprofit Casita Feliz afloat. The nonprofit advocates for health equity, justice and the well-being of the Latinx LGBTQ+ community. It provides HIV/AIDS testing, matches people with health and mental health providers, and even hosts a book club.
“He just banned transgender (people) from the military,” Lady Diana said. “He’s defining sexes as only male and female. He’s going after states that are allowing trans athletes to compete.”
Lady Diana, who grew up in Sanger, began dressing in drag and performing in 1999 under the stage name Diana de la Cruz. “I just felt so much comfortable in my feminine side as a woman and entertaining,” she said. That led to her transitioning “socially, then psychologically, legally and then medically.”
She has advocated for the LGBTQ+ community for more than 27 years.
“Starting July 1, none of us will get paid,” she said, adding that she had counted on the full $233,000 state grant to keep the doors open at the nonprofit near Fresno City College. The final $78,000 will no longer be awarded. That means slashing the 30-hours-a-week director of operations and the 10-hours-a-week janitor.
“I will no longer receive any salary,” Lady Diana said. “Right now, it’s just me that’s going to be committed to opening the doors, Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.”
And it’s not just Trump the trans community must be wary of, she said. Democrats like Gov. Gavin Newsom are stepping back from their support of the trans community. Lady Diana points to the recent loss of almost $80,000 in state funding for Casita Feliz.
“We’re seeing corporate America follow suit. They’re rolling back (diversity, equality and inclusive) strategies and initiatives,” Lady Diana said. “Unfortunately, all of those have a direct impact on LGBTQ+ communities here in Fresno.”
“She’s my daughter and that’s that”
The changing environment is why public support and acknowledgment of the LGBTQ+ community must extend beyond June’s designation as Pride Month.
“Pride Month should not just be one month out of the year,” said Castillo, 40. “It should be the full year, because we all need support throughout the entire year. We need to have different types of support for individuals throughout the entire year.”
Castillo, who supervises 70 workers as director of client services for a Fresno agency, recalled being six years old and feeling more comfortable wearing her mother’s heels and “wanting to wear dresses.” Being the youngest of 10 children in a traditional, conservative Mexican family made her hesitant to come out. But her father accepted her and defended her when her uncles would have questions.
“’This is her life. She’s my daughter and that’s that,’” she recalls him saying. “The support was great.”
If only politicians were as supportive of Castillo, Lady Diana and others in the LGBTQ+ community.
This story was originally published June 27, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
