Transgender UCLA Pride
University of California - Los Angeles
About Transgender UCLA Pride
Founded as a grassroots initiative at the University of California - Los Angeles, Transgender UCLA Pride represents a vital community resource for trans, genderqueer, gender questioning, and nonbinary individuals navigating college life in Los Angeles. This student-led organization embodies the principle that every member of the UCLA community deserves a welcoming environment where their identity is respected and celebrated.
At its core, TransUP prioritizes creating what it explicitly describes as a safe space—a fundamental commitment that shapes all organizational activities and interactions. The organization understands that transgender and nonbinary students often face unique challenges within academic settings, and TransUP positions itself as a supportive counterbalance to those experiences. By centering the voices and needs of trans community members, the organization works to shift campus culture toward greater acceptance and understanding.
The leadership structure of TransUP reflects its collaborative, community-centered approach. Student signatories Kyla Worrell, Jia Hui Ma, and Maria Neptune work alongside advisor Pamela R Cysner to ensure that the organization remains responsive to community needs and grounded in shared values. This partnership between students and faculty demonstrates how institutional support can amplify student-led advocacy efforts.
Operating within the Los Angeles, CA area, Transgender UCLA Pride serves as both a personal support network and a platform for broader social change. The organization recognizes that being transgender or nonbinary at a major university involves navigating complex institutional systems, and TransUP provides the community solidarity and practical support necessary for students to succeed and thrive.