Like many teenagers, Zoey Luna is into makeup, loves drawing, and is planning to start dating boys in high school. But things aren’t always so easy for a transgender 13-year-old girl. “Finding Zoey” follows Zoey just after winning a case against her school district for discrimination as she begins hormone treatments and as she publicly advocates for change, with her mother and sister always by her side. Even in the face of bullying and endless teasing from both school officials and students, Zoey determinedly continues to live her life as she is and tells her story in the hopes of helping others persevere in living their authentic live.
On October 18th, the MA in Clinical Psychology’s LGBT Specialization hosted a screening of “Raising Zoey” and a Q&A with Zoey, her mother Ophelia, and filmmaker Dante Alencastre.
“Raising Zoey” is produced by Latino filmmaker and LGBT Specialization supporter, Dante Alencastre, creator of En el fuego (In the fire) and TransVisible: Bamby Salcedo’s Story. Alencastre is an advocate for global equal rights; creating change through media awareness of Latino and Trans People around the world.
Thomas Mondragon, affiliate faculty member and founding instructor in the LGBT Specialization, brought this documentary to Antioch to highlight Zoey’s journey and to bring awareness to transgender issues.
“We are very excited to bring the documentary “Raising Zoey” to Antioch in support of honoring the journey of this very special young transgender teen,” said Mondragon. “The LGBT Specialization and this quarters’ class on Treating Families Through the LGBT-Affirmative Lens are pleased to take this opportunity to bring community and clinical awareness to the needs, values, and celebrations of transgender individuals and their families.”
Zoey Luna is one of Los Angeles’ bravest and youngest trans rights activists. Her recognition and visibility includes being last year’s LA Pride’s Grand Marshall.
