Local

Transgender Day of Remembrance events in D.C.

Honoring those lost to hatred and violence

Published

4 years ago

November 19, 2021

Jessica Xavier lights the Candle of Life at the 2019 observance of Transgender Day of Remembrance. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Metropolitan Community Church of Washington D.C. will observe the Transgender Day of Remembrance with a virtual service on Sunday, Nov. 21 at 2:30 p.m. on MCC’s Facebook page. This event will commemorate those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

Heart to Hand Inc. and Gilead will host “Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) 2021: We Remember, We Unite, We Honor” on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. at Doubletree by Hilton Largo. This event will honor the transgender community lost to hatred and violence, and celebrate those who continue to live beautifully in their truth. There will be a keynote delivered by Monroe Alise and many other special guests.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays will host virtual and in-person vigils to commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance via PFLAG Connects meetings. For more details regarding celebrations for DMV-specific PFLAG chapters, visit PFLAG’s website.

“Black Trans Joy Brunch” will be held on Sunday, Nov. 21 at 11 a.m. This event will feature live performances celebrating Black trans culture and a three-category Mini Ball. Monroe Alise will be the mistress of ceremony and there will be performances by 2AM Ricky, Tasha Long, Gibby Thomas, and Achim Howard. Tickets are $10 and include brunch and a limited open bar. Visit Eventbrite for more details.

Free State Justice and Baltimore Safe Haven will host “TDOR Vigil” on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. at the Ynot Lot. This event will highlight the losses the transgender community has incurred due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence. Visit Facebook for more details.

Intersections of Pride Foundation will host a candlelight vigil on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 5:30 p.m. at Ma’at Community Garden. Guests are encouraged to bring names, messages, among other things to honor the lives lost to transphobic hate within the community. Visit Facebook for more details.

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PHOTOS: WorldPride Street Festival and Closing Concert

Doechii, Khalid among performers

Published

2 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Michael Key

Doechii performs at the WorldPride Closing Concert on Sunday, June 8. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

WorldPride 2025 concluded with the WorldPride Street Festival and Closing Concert held along Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. on Sunday, June 8. Performers on the main stage included Doechii, Khalid, Courtney Act, Parker Matthews, 2AM Ricky, Suzie Toot, MkX and Brooke Eden.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Baltimore

Baltimore Trans Pride to take place Saturday

Baltimore Safe Haven hosts annual event

Published

5 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Daniela White

Baltimore Trans Pride in 2022. Baltimore Safe Haven's annual event will take place on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Linus Berggren)

Celebrating the transgender community, Baltimore Safe Haven, an organization committed to empowering LGBTQ individuals in Baltimore City, plans to host their fourth annual Baltimore Trans Pride on Saturday.

Instead of the usual parade and march, this year’s Trans Pride will be a block party on Charles Street and between 21st and 22nd Streets. The event will start at 1 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and last until 10 p.m.

Community members can go on guided tours, enjoy refreshments by local vendors, listen to presenters, and watch performances by special guests.

Sukihana, the event’s headliner, plans to take to the stage to entertain the crowd, along with a variety of local performers, according to Melissa Deveraux, Baltimore Safe Haven’s executive assistant to Executive Director Iya Dammons.

“Some (are) prominently known, some (are) just making a name for themselves,” Deveraux said. Iya is always making sure that community talent is showcased at all of our functions.”

In company with Pride on Saturday, Baltimore Safe Haven will be opening its new building on Friday from 1-4 p.m.

“That is sort of going to be the prelude to pride,” Lau said. “Thanks to Sen. Mary Washington and the Weinberg Foundation, we were able to purchase the building outright, and it’s going to be a community hub of administrative buildings and 12-bedroom apartments.”

Renee Lau, administrative assistant for special projects coordinator for Baltimore Safe Haven, said the planning process for Baltimore Trans Pride began in January, and putting it all together was a collaboration of multiple city agencies and organizations.

“Safe Haven is an LGBT community organization, but we service the entire community, and that’s the message we try to spread,” Lau said. “We’re not just here for the LGBT community. We’re here to spread goodwill and offer harm reduction and housing to the entire community.”

Lau said the organization’s biggest goal for the event is to gain exposure.

“(We want) to let and let people know who we are and what our community is about,” she said. “Right now, because of what’s happening in DC, there’s a lot of bad untruths going on, and the total thing is bringing out the truth.”

Deveraux said having a place of inclusivity, acceptance, and togetherness is important in today’s political climate and the current administration.

“This event will have people seeing the strength and resilience of the transgender community, showing that no matter what we are going through, we still show up,” Deveraux said. “We are here, we will not be erased.”