Joy and a Call to Action at Erie's Transgender Day of Visibility

by Nicholas Sorensen of the Erie Times-News

Members of Erie's transgender community and their allies gathered in the Erie City Council chambers to celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility, observed annually on March 31.

The event, hosted locally by TransFamily of NWPA, is a time to celebrate and highlight the accomplishments of those in the community.

"We normally, as an organization, have to stay away from politics in our speeches, but with the current political and social climate, it would be an injustice if we did," Eli Skelton, president of TransFamily of NWPA, told those who had gathered.

The cause for alarm comes from the more than 762 pieces of anti-LGBTQ bills that have been introduced in our country so far in 2026. According to Trans Legislation Tracker (translegislation.com), these have occurred in 43 states, with 30 passing, 669 active, and 63 that have failed.

While there is a call for more protections for transgender individuals, TDOV is also a day to stop and recognize the good they have done throughout time. "Today is about celebrating the joy and knowing that we've always been and always will be," Tyler Titus, president of Erie City Council, said. "There have been many attempts throughout all of civilization to erase the other people, and it's never worked. It's in our DNA."

The day is also about finding community support. "When it feels like the world is against you, it's easy to forget that there are people beside you that are going through the same things, having the same fears, sharing the same despair," Mulnah Dovat, member of TransFamily of NWPA, said. "That's how they get us, it's by design that they make us feel isolated or alone. Because people need hope the same way they need oxygen. Community needs hope. They might not want it to, but it keeps existing."

Erie Mayor Daria Devlin was on hand to offer the support of Erie's larger community and presented TransFamily with a proclamation from the city recognizing March 31 as Trans Day of Visibility.

"Erie stands with its entire community," Devlin said. "I urge all residents to honor and uplift the transgender and gender expansive members of our community to stand against discrimination in all its forms and to recommit ourselves to building an Erie that is safe, affirming and equitable for all."

To learn more about TransFamily of NWPA, including their upcoming events and support groups, find them on Facebook or at transfamilynwpa.org.