Conservative Outrage Didn’t Stop Boston’s ‘Trans Period Pride’ Event, It Just Found a New Home

A Boston event focused on menstrual equity and transgender experiences is still moving forward despite reports suggesting it had been canceled.

The annual “Trans Period Pride” gathering, organized by Mass NOW and the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, was originally scheduled to take place June 17 at the Boston Public Library’s Central Library in Copley Square. But after the event became the target of criticism from conservative commentators and right-wing media outlets, the library listing was marked as canceled, sparking confusion about whether the event would happen at all.

City officials say the answer is yes, just somewhere else.

A spokesperson for the Boston Public Library confirmed that the event was booked by an outside organization and has since been relocated.

“This event was booked by an external organization and has been rescheduled to a different location,” the library said in a statement.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s office echoed that message, noting that the event itself has not been called off. What Happened?

The controversy began after social media posts promoting the event circulated among conservative influencers and outlets. Critics seized on the event’s focus on transgender people who menstruate, with some directing criticism toward Wu’s administration because the city’s Office of LGBTQIA2S+ Advancement was listed as a supporter.

The original event description promoted a discussion centered on menstrual equity and the experiences of transgender people who have periods.

An Instagram flyer advertised a “consciousness-raising discussion on menstrual equity and the experience of trans menstruators.”

As attention grew online, reports soon followed claiming the event had been canceled. Those claims spread rapidly after the Boston Public Library removed the listing from its calendar.

Organizers Say The Event Is Still On

Organizers quickly pushed back against those reports.

In a statement provided to Them, Mass NOW Executive Director Sasha Goodfriend said the event remains scheduled and that preparations are underway at a new location.

“Trans Period Pride has not been cancelled,” Goodfriend said. “We have secured a new location and are finalising a security plan. Details about the venue and event logistics will be announced next week.”

Mass NOW’s website currently lists the event as continuing with a location still to be announced.

The organization describes the gathering as its third annual Trans Period Pride event. According to promotional materials, attendees will participate in conversations about transgender experiences with menstruation, receive educational resources and community support, and be offered free period underwear.

“Join us for our third annual trans period pride consciousness raising,” organizers wrote on the event page. “We’ll be learning about trans experiences with menstruation … Catered dinner will be provided and free period underwear will be given to all attendees.” A Broader Conversation About Menstrual Equity

Supporters say the event is intended to address an often-overlooked intersection of public health and LGBTQ+ inclusion.

While menstruation is frequently discussed through a gendered lens, advocates note that not everyone who menstruates identifies as a woman. Transgender men and some nonbinary people may also experience periods, creating unique challenges when accessing healthcare, products, and support services.

Goodfriend argued that the backlash itself underscores why conversations like these remain necessary.

“The backlash only reinforces why this work – and visibility solidarity – is so important,” Goodfriend previously told Them. “Menstrual equity is a public health issue that affects anyone who menstruates, and no one should be excluded from that conversation because of their gender identity.”

For now, organizers are focused on finalizing logistics and security measures before publicly revealing the new venue.

Despite the social media storm, one thing appears settled: Trans Period Pride is not disappearing. It’s simply changing addresses.

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