Philly canceled its Trans Day of Visibility event this year, but will still fly flag at City Hall

He said that while "there are valid reasons for not doing it this year," he doesn't know why it was cancelled.

"We know that Celina [Morrison-McLean] recently experienced an injustice, so if I were in her shoes, I would want to take a little break from organizing just to tend to my self care," he said.

In her announcement, Morrison-McLean said Philadelphians can commemorate the holiday by acknowledging the flag at City Hall, and encouraged support for local organizations and initiatives.

"Mayor Parker and the Parker administration strongly support the transgender community and all LGBTQ residents of out city," said Joe Grace, the mayor's spokesperson.

Other ways of celebrating trans visibility

Last week, Philadelphia City Council recognized the holiday in a resolution, and Councilmember Rue Landau, the city's first openly LGBTQ+ member, spoke on the floor.

"This is a day to celebrate the vibrant contributions of transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive individuals in our community and lift up the joy, triumphs, and pride that transgender people experience and bring into our communities," she said.

Landau also sponsored a resolution honoring Philadelphia transgender advocates including the organizers of the Philly Trans March, Attic Youth Center, and Lovehall, who works as a constituent services representative for Landau.

On Friday, Philly Trans March organizers will rally in front of City Hall for trans youth and to honor Nex Benedict, 16-year-old non-binary Oklahoma student who was bullied and died by suicide after a fight in a school restroom.

"This tragedy comes at a time where anti-trans legislation throughout parts of our country have been established in place, putting all trans folk in jeopardy," organizers posted on Facebook. "We will gather as form of resistance to show that we as a community demand better for our youth and community overall."

Also on Friday, the William Way LGBT Community Center will host a vendor market and fashion show for the Trans Day of Visibility in partnership with the Office of LGBT Affairs, Philly AIDS Thrift, and the Independence Business Alliance. Morrison-McLean, whose husband is chief operating officer at William Way, will attend on behalf of the city.