FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2026

CONTACT:
Dr. Madeleine Roepe, Program Director
MoCo Pride Center – Bethesda
maddie@mocopridecenter.org
www.mocopridefamily.org

MoCo Pride Center Celebrates Trans Joy for Trans Day of Visibility

Bethesda, MD — On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM, Live In Your Truth, Trans Maryland, Maryland Trans Unity, and The Montgomery County Pride Family will host their second annual Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) celebration at the MoCo Pride Center in Bethesda.

This year’s theme, Trans Joy: Then, Now & Forever, centers the truth that trans people have always existed, have always created joy, and will continue to do so across generations. TDOV is both a celebration and a recognition—honoring the brilliance, resilience, and humanity of trans and gender expansive communities.

Across the country, policies and rhetoric continue to target trans lives and attempt to limit access to safety, dignity, and self-determination. These efforts are not isolated—they reflect a broader challenge to the fundamental right to live authentically. In response, spaces of community, affirmation, and joy remain essential.

“At its core, Trans Day of Visibility is about truth, existence, and joy,” said Phillip Alexander Downie (he/him), Chief Executive Officer of the Montgomery County Pride Family. “Trans joy is not new—it has always been here. It lives in our history, in our present, and in our future. This moment is about honoring that truth and creating spaces where trans and gender expansive people are not only seen, but celebrated fully, freely, and without condition. At MoCo Pride Center, we are committed to building a community where that joy is protected, uplifted, and allowed to thrive—then, now, and forever.”

The TDOV celebration, planned by the Trans Celebration and Planning Committee (TCAP), will feature dynamic speakers, including trans leaders, activists, and allies; intergenerational programming that fosters healing, storytelling, and mentorship between trans youth and elders; live performances by trans and gender expansive artists; and community-building activities and resource tables from trans-affirming organizations offering advocacy, healthcare connections, and empowerment resources.

Join Us:
TRANS DAY OF VISIBILITY – Trans Joy: Then, Now & Forever
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: MoCo Pride Center
4805 Edgemoor Lane, Floor 2
Bethesda, MD 20814

Register to attend: https://liveinyourtruth.org/tdov-attendee-registration

Event Schedule:

5:00 PM – Vendor Fair
6:00 PM – Dinner
Speakers & Performances to follow
Celebration continues until 8:30 PM

About the Hosts
Live In Your Truth is an empowerment organization using media, advocacy, holistic wellness programs, and community-building to center marginalized voices. Trans Maryland is a multi-racial, multi-gender, trans-led organization dedicated to building power and advancing equity for Maryland’s trans community. MoCo Pride Center is the first physical LGBTQIA+ resource center in Montgomery County, Maryland, established in August 2025. The Montgomery County Pride Family is a leading LGBTQIA+ advocacy and cultural coalition working across the region to uplift and unite communities through resources, education, and joy.

For media inquiries or interviews, please contact:
Dr. Madeleine Roepe
maddie@mocopridecenter.org