Danielle Ferguson

dbferguson@argusleader.com

Isabella Red Cloud stood Saturday wearing the same dress that got her denied breakfast at a Sioux Falls free meal service the week before.

About 35 people stood behind her, signs and flags in hand.

Community members and TransAction South Dakota showed their support for Red Cloud, a Sioux Falls transgender woman asked to leave the Union Gospel Mission because of her apparel, at a march protest Saturday. The group gathered in front of the Falls Park entrance and marched to the Gospel Mission.

Red Cloud went to the Union Gospel Mission last weekend for breakfast, where she was told she would need to change out of her dress and into male clothing before being served the meal.

Red Cloud took to Facebook Live as she is asked to leave the mission. The post was shared hundreds of times and viewed by tens of thousands.

More: Transgender woman asked to leave mission

Since then, she's received an out-pour of support from people throughout the state, country and even around the world.

"It feels good, welcoming, this out-pour of love from the community," Red Cloud said. "Anyone who says hate to me, I show love to them."

March co-organizer Kendra Heathscott, of TransAction South Dakota, said the organization is going to help take care of Red Cloud and try to raise money to get her hormones for her transition.

"We're here advocating for Isabella," Heathscott said of the march.

Union Gospel Mission Director Fran Stenberg previously told Argus Leader Media he didn’t know the details of Red Cloud’s interactions with staff the previous weekend, but had confirmed that staff has asked men to leave for wearing dresses before.

The group of protesters chanted "Trans lives matter" and "God loves everyone," while walking downtown and while at the gospel mission.

"Ultimately, we're trying to raise awareness and bring attention to the situation," Heathscott said.