About GARRAS
GARRAS—short for Groundbreaking Activism Redirecting & Reforming All Systems—is more than a fashion show.
GARRAS is a vibrant, annual fundraising event hosted by The TransLatin@ Coalition that spotlights the creativity, resilience, and activism of trans, gender expansive, and intersex (TGI) individuals and their allies. Through dazzling runway performances, GARRAS redefines what it means to be an activist by celebrating identity, expression, and empowerment through the arts.
A Stage for Visibility and Power
At its core, GARRAS offers TGI communities an empowering platform to showcase their talent as models, designers, stylists, and performers, using fashion as a bold form of advocacy. Every participant contributes not just their creative work, but their leadership and lived experience—affirming that each person’s presence and visibility are acts of resistance and transformation.
GARRAS is not just about fashion—it’s about community, healing, and social change. The event uplifts participants as role models and change-makers, helping to challenge societal norms and push the boundaries of representation in mainstream media and fashion.
Our History
Founded in 2014, GARRAS began as a local celebration but quickly grew into one of The TransLatin@ Coalition’s flagship programs. Since its inception, it has helped raise awareness and critical funds to support direct services for TGI individuals. With each passing year, GARRAS has expanded in scale, vision, and impact.
In 2023, GARRAS broke records by raising $260,000 and welcoming over 750 attendees, making it the largest and most successful event in its history. This landmark achievement reflected the growing visibility of TGI communities and the unwavering support of allies and sponsors who believe in the transformative power of the event.
In 2024, GARRAS honored the 15th anniversary of The TransLatin@ Coalition with a special "Quinceañera Edition," thematically tying the coming-of-age milestone in Latinx culture to the ongoing journey of TGI empowerment. It was a celebration not just of history, but of the movement’s future.
Why It Matters
GARRAS is more than a runway—it’s a call to action. Every dollar raised fuels The TransLatin@ Coalition’s vital work, including programs in housing, healthcare, employment, and advocacy for TGI people. The event also helps build public awareness and cultivates solidarity in the broader fight for trans rights and liberation.
Join us in celebrating identity, artistry, and resistance. Whether as an attendee, designer, sponsor, or supporter, you can be part of a movement where fashion meets activism—and where community leads the way.
