New Bedford, Fall River to Host Transgender Day of Remembrance

On Saturday, November 20, a vigil and walk will take place in New Bedford and Fall River in recognition of the 2021 Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Hosted by the South Coast LGBTQ+ Network and the Fall River Pride Committee (FRPC), they are looking for support from the community to pack the New Bedford Public Library this Saturday at 2 p.m. and before that to walk the streets of Fall River at 10 a.m. Walkers will meet at 5 Water Street in Fall River by Heritage State Park. Money raised by this event will help kickstart a new program supporting the local transgender community.

“One of the biggest issues faced in the LGBTQ community today is fatal violence against transgender and gender non-conforming individuals; the majority of these victims being black and Latinx transgender women," said Angel DaCosta, who was crowned Mx. LGBT+ Fall River this past June. “As Mx. LGBT+ Fall River and a transmasculine person myself, I have vowed to do whatever I can to increase awareness on the violence and victimization of transgender individuals.”

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The march will progress down the Battleship Cove Boardwalk until 1 p.m. and donations of $10 or more are being asked to help grow the newly-founded transgender program here on the SouthCoast. This is hoping to become an annual event, according to the FRPC, to bring resources to those seeking guidance and funding towards essential yet expensive items such as hormones, binders, transportation, and more.

Following the walk, members, and guests honoring the day of remembrance will be asked to meet at the New Bedford Public Library from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for a vigil and closing remarks. Guest speakers will share their stories and bring attention and justice to those within the transgender and nonbinary community who were murdered earlier this year.

Since November 10, three more individuals have been murdered in the United States, bringing the total of hate crime-related deaths to 46.

"It’s important that we support our trans and nonbinary community," Events Committee Chairperson for the SouthCoast LGBTQ Network Traci Welch said. "We also have a monthly Tea Dance at our local gay bar Le Place on November 21. It’s a way for everyone in the gayborhood to stay connected. The bar will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year."

For more information about The Fall River Pride Committee, contact Myles Lowery at (508) 728-8297, or email fallriverpridecommittee@gmail.com.