Transgender Day of Visibility: A Day to Celebrate, Advocate, and Educate

I will not pretend that I’ve always been the most aware or the most sensitive when it comes to understanding the realities of Transgendered people. Like many, I was raised in a religious household and taught that there are two genders, God made us that way, and anything else is an abomination. Now that might sound extreme to some of you but for many, that is still very much their worldview. For me to better understand those who didn’t fit the traditional male/female heteronormative paradigm took a long time.

Despite having a long career working within the queer community and tackling my own non-conventional sexual identity, I wasn’t as understanding as one might think when it came to gender identity. Sexuality I got it, gender identity not so much. I have a Psychology degree and the rhetoric during my studies was around Gender Identity Disorder and the emphasis was on “disorder.” There was not really an empathetic approach to this topic when I was studying and I certainly didn’t get it from anything in my personal life. My path to understanding, embracing, and celebrating trans people was a long, long road and one that was aided by personal connections, exposure, and a willingness to learn.

What is Transgender Day of Visibility

Transgender Day of Visibility (TDoV) is an annual event held on March 31st to celebrate and recognize the resilience and accomplishments of the transgender community. Founded in 2009 by U.S.-based transgender activist Rachel Crandall, TDoV exists to raise awareness about the discrimination and oppression faced by the transgender community worldwide. While the community has been recognized on Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to mourn the loss of trans individuals, it is important to also celebrate living members of the community.

I’m happy I created [TDOV]; however, if I knew what I knew now, I’m not positive I would. But someone else would have. I wasn’t the only one who was thinking about it. In fact, I think the reason it caught on was because thousands of other trans people were thinking about it, too.

Rachel Crandall-Crocker, a Michigan-based psychotherapist, who founded the International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, 2009

The transgender community has faced immense harassment and inequality in all aspects of life, from the workplace to schools to society as a whole. That is why TDoV is so important. It is a day to show love and support for the millions of transgender people in our neighborhoods and treat them as equal members of society.

Over the years, I have come to know many wonderful trans people. However, I have a very close friend that has transitioned from female to male whom I’ve known for almost 25 years. I told him that I was writing this article and asked for a quote, He immediately said NO. I was disappointed because I really wanted his input. I’ve seen the extremely positive impact of transitioning on his mental health. This is a person who went from being a self-destructive and suicidal woman to being a happy, confident, and professionally thriving man. This was a transformation that I watched with my own eyes and I desperately wanted to share his story. Needless to say that I was pleased when he said that I could anonymously quote his reason for saying no instead.

I did have an idea though. I was going to tell you my reason for not wanting to contribute and then realized that in itself may be a good story idea. So… the reason I don’t want to contribute is because I’m not “out” and in this political climate I am terrified of being in something that could potentially “out” me. Especially when it comes to my job and potential partner’s family. It’s not safe. So maybe you could write something from “anonymous.” IDK….just a thought. I felt bad saying no. LOL

Anonymous

Why Visibility Matters

That my dear friend has to live his life hiding the very nature of existence is heartbreaking to me. It’s also very maddening that people feel justified in the cruelty and treatment of others that they simply don’t understand. That’s why it was important for me to write this article and celebrate this day. No one should have to live like this and we should all do our part to increase the visibility of trans people in our society.

I think the best way to increase visibility is to start with our friends and family. Let them know it’s ok to be who they are, celebrate who they are, and educate others on their experiences (respecting their boundaries of course). We must take a stand so that our friends and family do not have to live in fear. We must all work together to change the narrative that allows for their mistreatment.

For this article, I also asked another friend of mine, Kylar W. Broadus, Esq, who’s been actively championing the rights of LGBTQ+ people for decades to contribute his thoughts on the issue. I met Kylar nearly 15 years ago while working as the Managing Director for the Institute for Humanist Studies. I had joined a cohort of professionals invited to contribute to the White House’s Office of Public Engagement efforts around advocacy issues relevant to LGBTQ+ people of color and he was among the group. I had no idea what a force he was at the time but I was immediately struck by his passion and brilliance. Ironically, I didn’t realize he was trans himself until he told me, and that revelation alone was eye-opening. It taught me that people are more than meets the eye!

In 2021, the GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) announced that Kylar would be awarded that year’s Spirit of Justice Award for his trailblazing contributions to transgender rights activism. To say Kylar is impressive is an understatement, Kylar is a Black trans man, attorney, author, professor, and founder of the Trans People of Color Coalition. He has made significant contributions to the work of various national LGBTQ rights organizations, including GLAD. His impact on the evolution of employment nondiscrimination law was recognized by President Barack Obama, and his legal expertise and advocacy have advanced civil rights for transgender people over decades. I knew Kylar would have something good to share and this is what he said:

Visibility is important for all people. There wasn’t a lot of trans and nonbinary visibility when I was coming into myself. We have lots more visibility which is extremely important.

Visibility is just a part of our fight for rights. We see that in the backlash across the country. It takes all of us pitching in and working together to change hearts and minds by fighting against the wave of nonsense legislation that attacks all trans and nonbinary people. We must work with all outlying communities to that let the extremes win. We need to get back to common sense. The majority of Americans don’t live at the extremes.

Kylar W. Broadus, Esq, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Public Speaker, Strategist, Legislative, Policy, Management at Kylar W. Broadus

Knowing all the good Kylar has done for others, imagine if he wasn’t able to continue because he was living a life where he couldn’t exist in the fullness of himself or if he was taken from us too soon. I’m fortunate to have had people like Kylar and my friend who shall remain anonymous in my life. This Transgender Day of Visibility I want to celebrate them and all the other trans people out there who are just as special waiting for the world to let their lights shine.

How to Celebrate

Supporting the rights of trans people might seem like a big issue and you may be asking yourself what can I do? Well, celebrating Transgender Day Of Visibility is a great start and it’s easy. To celebrate TDoV, there are several things you can do. First, educate yourself on transgender issues and read up on trans lives. Share statistics, updates, and news to make others aware of the impact the transgender community has made on the world. Attend an event, meet transgender people, and make new friends. Take pictures and share them on social media with the hashtag #TransgenderDayOfVisibility.

TDoV is a reminder that being transgender is not a crime and that we should not attach negative connotations to trans individuals. They have contributed just as much to the world as cisgender people and have had a visible impact on society. TDoV is a day to celebrate their contributions, successes, and relentless resilience in standing tall and strong in the face of injustice.

TDoV is a day to recognize and revere the transgender community’s contributions to society while advocating for more protected rights for them. Let us join hands together with the trans community to celebrate not ‘fitting in’ when we all yearn to stand out!