Charlene Arcila
2023 Women’s History Month
Born in Jacksonville, Mississippi, Charlene Arcila moved to Philadelphia in 1990.
She came out as a transwoman and at once began her activism for LGBT rights.
Among her many roles and achievements, Arcila worked for The Philadelphia AIDS Consortium, served on the board of directors for the Mazzoni Center, and was the treasurer for the William Way Center.
Arcila is best known for founding the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference (now known as the Philadelphia Trans-Wellness Conference) and removing gender markers from SEPTA’s transportation passes.