Renae Punzalan—who goes by the stage name Renae McPhearson—is currently the Director of Outreach at the Transgender Health and Wellness Center in Palm Springs. Born in Guam, a U.S. island territory in Micronesia, in 1977, she grew up in a matriarchal society. Her family were mostly supportive, even though her mom is a conservative Republican. Renae says her family and people accepted her and her father and grandmother made her feel particularly safe. Sometimes, non-western cultures don’t have such rigid gender binaries; they honor all humans and spirits. It is because of her upbringing, and her own challenges, that her work and influence at the Center is so meaningful.

As a trans woman, Renae had always worked in hetero-normative jobs, though she did volunteer with the transgender community and worked with LGBTQ organizations and the LAPD LGBT Community Police Academy. The program was launched in 2009 to create a safe learning space for people who identify as LGBTQ+ and allows the LAPD to better understand and address their issues in the community. The sessions differ from professional police academy instruction—they do not provide physical training or certify its graduates to be officers—but do offer insight into law enforcement and legal systems. She was excited to move from Los Angeles to the Coachella Valley in 2021 to perform at AsiaSF in Palm Springs as a cabaret cast member: “It was an amazing cast and show,” but sadly it was very expensive to produce and not viable. When the show closed earlier this year—in part due to Covid—Renae decided to stay in Palm Springs. “It is not so crowded. I don’t mind the heat and the palm trees and mountains remind me of home.” The desert vibe suits her and she has built a life, including an exclusive relationship with a cis man. She says they are “both working towards common goals.” It is important for her to be visible and to be in a loving relationship and not have to live stealthily. Working for the Center, a preeminent provider of health and social services for the transgender community, as well as the gender diverse community and its allies, has given Renae confidence, stability, and purpose. She finds the work deeply meaningful and rewarding, and it has empowered her to pass on the sense that trans people are accepted, loved, and part of the bigger community. She continues to perform and serve at Toucans’ Drag Bar and loves the combination of artist and activist. Both she and her boyfriend work a lot, but she has never felt more fulfilled. Having performed in Pride events in Guam, Renae first went to a nightclub in Guam at age 17, and was enamored with a Guamanian trans woman named ‘Crimsonia,’ who was her role model and mentor. She always felt the clubs were a safe and affirming place to be. With her background, Renae is uniquely qualified to help provide outreach and help her LGBTQ+ family, a community who often struggle with homelessness, health care, housing, and employment issues.

Importantly, it is a trans-led organization, and Thomi Clinton, the CEO, saw something in Renae, and knew she would be a great advocate. The organization plans to walk in the Pride Parade with a 100-foot flag, provide a booth and resources table, as well as a fun lounge area with a step and repeat; a place to take photos for social media. Also, Sunday, Nov. 20, is the Trans Day of Remembrance that honors those who have lost their lives to anti-trans violence. Candles and a fundraiser are in the works for the Remembrance in an effort to attract attention and awareness.

Look also for pop up events and free mental health counseling at both the San Diego and Palm Springs Centers. There are also two Centers in Riverside. Renae is excited about her work with the organization, creating partnerships and teaching Gender Diverse Trainings, with a focus on gender identity definition and terminologies and how to be a good ally to the transgender, nonbinary, gender non-conforming and intersex community. The Center is also implementing a new virtual training where community partners can have Q & A and storytelling sessions. Staff and volunteers will have the opportunity to answer questions and share personal stories which will help community partners understand clients/patients that identify as LGBTQ+.  Immersed in advocacy, she also loves her glamorous role as a performer. She joked that she works so much because “I have to pay for cute nails and a trip to Boston with my boyfriend where we can go to restaurants and enjoy our life.” Renae says she’s not a mushy person, but she loves her new life in the desert and feels more confident and secure by the day. When her sister came from Guam to visit recently, they laughed at how the whole flavor of the desert environment felt familiar and welcoming like home on Guam. Renae is able to not only live a full and authentic trans life in Palm Springs, but give back to her community both as an activist and performer.