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Detroit honors trans advocate on Trans Day of Visibility and recognizes health director
Summary
The Detroit City Council presented a Spirit of Detroit award to Julissa Abad on Trans Day of Visibility and adopted a testimonial resolution honoring Denise Ferrazzo for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing public-health work.
The Detroit City Council presented a Spirit of Detroit award on March 31 to Julissa Abad in recognition of Trans Day of Visibility, and separately adopted a testimonial resolution honoring Denise Ferrazzo for her public-health leadership.
Council member Gabriela Santiago Romero introduced the award for Abad, citing a recent surge in anti-trans bills nationally and calling for local protections. "In 2026, this day is especially important," Santiago Romero said, noting what she described as a 45% year-to-year rise in anti‑trans measures and the Lincoln Institute’s national alert. She urged council and the community to "call out the hate and protect our residents, especially the most marginalized." (Member Santiago Romero.)
Julissa Abad, introduced by the council as a longtime Detroit resident and LGBTQ community liaison in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, thanked the council and described her work providing free name‑change services and training law‑enforcement partners on cultural competency. "I'll continue to diligently work hard and continue to make effective change for my community," Abad said. (Julissa Abad.)
Later in the session, the council read a testimonial resolution honoring Denise Ferrazzo, who has led Detroit’s health department since 2019. Member Benson cited Ferrazzo’s role during the pandemic and the department’s public‑health initiatives, including the city’s food-rating program and vaccination clinics. "Her leadership helped save countless lives through outreach initiatives, rapid testing, public education campaigns and vaccination clinics," Benson said. (Member Benson.)
Ferrazzo accepted the recognition, corrected a lighthearted remark about being a fitness instructor and reflected on her time leading the department through COVID‑19. She thanked staff, former Mayor Mike Duggan for the appointment and her family; she also reiterated the department’s focus on clinical interventions and environmental health. "It really has been an honor," she said. (Denise Ferrazzo.)
What happens next: The awards and testimonial are ceremonial recognitions recorded in the council minutes; no formal policy action followed immediately from the presentations.
Provenance: Topic introduced in council presentation (SEG 081) and concluded with recipient remarks and transition back to the agenda (SEG 466).
