'My Sacred Space': Transgender woman finds home in San Francisco after fleeing native country

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — It’s Pride month, and the “T” in LGBTQ represents transgender people. This year, that community feels especially vulnerable.

President Trump has issued several executive orders focusing on trans people. KRON4 reports on the increase in people coming to California and San Francisco for their gender affirming care.

While Pride in 2025 kicks off, trans people have become the focus of several executive orders. President Trump has signed off on banning them from girls’ sports, the U.S. Military and ended all federal funding of transgender-related healthcare for minors.

Kiki Lopez moved to San Francisco from the Philippines three years ago — ready to live as her authentic self as a trans woman. It’s something she didn’t feel safe doing in her home country.

“This is my sacred space,” Lopez said. “A difference with tolerance and making sure trans people are protected legally. There are no laws or rules or even healthcare regulations protecting the dolls, the trans women or the trans men who are undergoing gender affirming care and surgery.”

She says in the Philippines, the only way she would be able to get hormones to start her transition was on the black market. In San Francisco, the 34-year-old was able to get help through the San Francisco Aids Foundation with her gender-affirming care.

“When I stepped my foot here, especially at the airport, you know what it’s as if I’m home. That’s what I really felt,” Lopez said.

She’s not alone.

There are around 800 trans people who utilize the services at the Magnet Clinic, overseen by the San Francisco Aids Foundation. Nurse Practitioner Michael Tran says many of his clients traveled to California to get help with their transition.

“Seen an uptick in transgender clients coming in from out of state, as well as other parts of California that are looking for our services,” Tran said. “Like you said, one of the main reasons why is because in many areas, they are limiting, if not outright banning gender-affirming care in those areas.”

There are 26 states that have passed bans on gender affirming care for trans children, including medication and surgery. According to the Human Rights Foundation, nearly 120,000 teens identify as trans in those states.

The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the constitutionality of laws restricting gender affirming care, but Tran says there are already implications for both children and adults.

“I’ve had patients say my parents disowned me, I don’t know where to go now. I don’t’ even know whether I want to continue with my hormones,” Tran said.

Support at the city and state level feels good for trans people like Lopez, but KRON4 asked her why that support is waning on a national scale when trans people make up such a small population of the country.

Less than 1 percent of adults.

“Make a big fuss or issue out of something that they don’t really understand. It’s mostly about misinformation,” Tran said.

She says in the Bay Area, the support is evident.

From everyday encounters with strangers on the sidewalk to medical appointments with healthcare providers. That doesn’t mean she hasn’t encountered transphobia, but it’s something that doesn’t get the best of her.

“It’s scary, but that’s what they want you to feel,” Lopez said. “To be scared and not do anything about it, but to me, when they incite fear that also insights bravery for me.”