Visibility Requires Action: Recapping Trans Day of Visibility 2026
Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) was founded in 2009 by Rachel Crandall-Crocker as a celebration of the living. It was—and is—a vital call for a world where trans* people can be seen, heard, and celebrated for their contributions to our collective community.
But as we navigate the current political climate, our perspective on visibility has evolved. Visibility in 2026 cannot just be about "being seen." In a time when trans* rights are under active fire, visibility without protection is dangerous. This year, we approached TDOV with a specific goal: to show that if you want to celebrate our trans* siblings, you have to be willing to advocate for them, too.
Members from Haverhill Pride came together with the community to stand up for trans* rights at No Kings Day
Standing Out at White’s Corner
Our week of action began on Wednesday, March 25, with a sign-making potluck at the Universalist Unitarian Church of Haverhill. This evening served as a vital space for our community to share resources, connect over a meal, and prepare for the advocacy ahead. Those signs were then put to work that Saturday at White’s Corner during our "No Kings Stand Out" event.
By partnering with Greater Haverhill Indivisible—a grassroots group committed to equity and justice—we were able to bridge the gap between Pride and direct civic action. Throughout the standout, we distributed our new TDOV Advocacy Zine, which provides actionable steps to help neighbors move past performative gestures and toward real support for our trans and gender-nonconforming siblings. If you weren’t able to grab a physical copy at White's Corner, you can download and print the guide at the link below.
If you weren’t able to grab a physical copy, you can download, print, and share the Zine at the link below. It’s packed with actionable steps on how to be a better ally.
Representatives from Haverhill Pride and the City of Haverhill came together to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility
Official Recognition at City Hall
On March 31, TDOV itself, we moved the conversation into the halls of government. Members of the Haverhill Pride Collective met in Mayor Melinda E. Barrett’s office, where At-large City Councilor Thomas J. Sullivan read an official proclamation marking March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility.
You can read the full report on the City Hall ceremony via the coverage from WHAV News here.
Later that day, City Councilor Devan M. Ferreira motioned to suspend the rules during the City Council meeting to read the proclamation into the record. It was a moment of public, official acknowledgment—a baseline, but a necessary one.
From Awareness to Advocacy
Receiving a proclamation is a baseline, and standing out on a corner is a start, but sustainability for the trans community here in Haverhill requires a steady foundation of year-round support.
Whether it’s interrupting misinformation at the dinner table, showing up to City Council meetings to protect local policy, or educating your own social circles, we need you, dear reader, to move beyond awareness. We want to build a city where everyone is safe to be seen—not just on March 31, but every day of the year.
Putting that allyship into practice starts with showing up, and there is always a place for more voices at our table. If you want to help us build the infrastructure of Haverhill Pride and keep this momentum going, we’d love to have you join the team.