Montgomery Co. Celebrates Transgender Day Of Visibility

NORRISTOWN, PA — Officials in Montgomery County announced a celebration of Transgender Day of Visibility on Tuesday, pointing to what they described as ongoing efforts at the federal level to discriminate and exclude transgender individuals.

The national day of solidarity and celebration in the LGBTQ community is fraught with emotion this year, following orders from President Trump's administration to ban transgender individuals from the military and continuing controversy of transgender individuals in high school sports.

"In Montgomery County, we will continue to protect all residents of the County, including transgender residents and others in the LGBTQIA+ community, from hateful and ignorant attacks, discriminatory policies on a federal level, and other actions that hurt some of the most vulnerable people in our community," Commissioner Jamila Winder said in a statement.

Related: New 'Commission For LGBTQIA+ Affairs' Launched In Montgomery County

The celebration by the county marks another way in which local governments in southeastern Pennsylvania, many of them Democrat-run in blue areas, have pushed back against conservative federal agendas.

"At a time when federal officials scapegoat and target LGBTQ individuals for political gain, Montgomery County stands firm in our unwavering dedication to the civil rights, dignity, and well-being of every member of our community—regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, race, faith, or ability," Commissioner Neil Makhija added.

Montgomery County established a new Commission For LGBTQIA+ Affairs last summer, to advise the county on issues, services, and potential new programs and initiatives to improve the quality of life for individuals in that community.