How to Celebrate Trans Day of Visibility

Trans day of visibility was started in 2009 as a way to recognize and celebrate trans individuals all over the world. Today, it is an important cultural event for the transgender community. Whether you consider yourself to be a trans person or just someone who cares about this community, you may want to celebrate this day. Here’s how you can do that in a way that honors transgender individuals, raises awareness, and brings increased visibility to issues faced by the gender-diverse.

What is Trans Day of Visibility?

Transgender day of visibility is on March 31st of each year. It is day of honor and celebration for the accomplishments and of trans people throughout history, It’s also intended to be day of acknowledgment for past, present, and future struggles of transgender people.

The History of International Transgender Day

While transgender day is fairly new, the existance of trans people is not. There is evidence that trans women, trans men, gender nonconforming, and gender-diverse people have existed since the dawn of evolution. Transgender day of Visibility was founded by trans advocate Rachel Crandall. It falls between Transgender Day of Remembrance in November and Pride which happens in June.

Trans advocate Rachel Crandall who was head of Transgender Michigan chose this date in order to create a day that focuses on living trans youth, adults, and other gender nonconforming people. This trans day is about celebrating accomplishments and contributions made by trans community leaders and others today and in recent history.

Why Trans Visibility Matters Beyond Trans Day of Visibility

Trans day of visibility is more important than ever. Today, transgender people have higher rates of suicidality due to lack of support, acceptance, and resources. There is an abundance of anti trans legislation that targets trans youth in particular. Trans people are also much more likely than many other demographics to be the victims of violent crimes. This horrifying reality particularly impacts black trans women.

Of course, not every reason for a day of visibility for the transgender community is negative. While raising awareness about violence and discriminaation against transgender and non binary people is important, this is also a day of celebration. There are transgender people in every community who are accomplishing amazing things in their daily lives. They are:

• Serving as leaders in the community and even in politics
• Creating amazing art
• Advocating for transgender folks on social media and beyond
• Leading organizations

Then there are the trans people who are performing amazing acts of resistance and resilience simply by living their own lives in the face of hate and discrimination. It’s important to celebrate those who can do this in a visible way, while also remembering that not every trans person is able to be visible because of violence and discrimination. Trans Day of Visiblity should never be exclusive to those who are able to be “out”.

How to Celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility

Everyone deserves to experience joy and that includes the transgender community. It’s important to keep in mind that this is a celebration. The intention is to honor trans people and everything they have and continue to accomplish. At the same time, it’s possible to celebrate trans day in a way that also acknowledges the fight that still exists againts violence, exclusion, and lack of education.

Celebrating Trans Visibility Day if You Are a Member of The Transgender Community

This is your day! Here are somethings you can do, if you choose, to celebrate this day of visibility.

Share Your Story

If you want to share your story and feel safe doing so, this is a great day to raise your voice. Whether you write out your story privately, share it just with trans friends, use it as a way to connect with trusted family, or speak out to foster understanding about trans people – your voice matters.

Celebrate Yourself – However That Looks For You

For trans people, simply surviving is an at of revolution. Take some time to honor your authenticity, struggles you have overcome, and your gender identity journey.

Connect With The Transgender Community

Consider joining a local or online transgender community group, or attend a trans event if there is one in your area. You can also choose to hang out with queer and trans folks who are part of your safe, inner circle of friends.

Engage in Self Care

For a community that struggles with depression, trauma, and suicidality – Self care is so important. When you love yourself enough to take care of your health, indulge in beauty rituals, and take steps to restore your sense of wellness, you communicate to yourself and the rest of the world that you matter. You deserve to be happy, healthy, and to experience comfort.

Create Something

Creativity has always been a key component of increasing visibility and celebrating resilience. Trans Visibility Day is an ideal time to write and share poetry, stories, photos, drawings, digital art, and more. Choose the media that works for you and create something that honors your true self and your community.

Celebrating Trans Day as an Ally or Advocate

Just like straight folks can be a part of Pride celebrations, cisgender individuals can also use this day to respectfully love and advocate for transgender people.

Attend And Support Local Events if They Are Open to The General Public

LGBTQ+ and trans advocacy groups like Transgender Michigan, may celebrate trans day by holding events to honor transgender people and boost visibility for trans rights. If you are able to, consider attending one of these local events. While you are there, be sure to make note of and support trans owned artists and businesses. It’s important that cisgender people attend open trans day events because it sends a message of support. If you are not sure an event is open to all, contact the executive director of the organization sponsoring it to clarify.

Make it a Day of Action

Spend trans day doing things to advocate for trans and non binary people. You can contact your local representatives about pending anti trans legislation. Send a donation to one of the many organizations that support the gender-diverse community – including the transgender law center. There may be local orgs. in your area that have special fundraising events in March, as well as groups that are dedicated to specific needs such as advocating for gender diverse individuals with disabilities. You can also check with your local LGBTQ+ center to see if they have a community closet for transgender individuals or a fund for gender-affirming care. Consider participating in a march, if there is one near you.

Find Ways to be More Affirming in Your Daily Life

Many folks spend days like this focused on large scale activism and celebrations. This is also a great day to get focused on things you can do in your personal and professional life to help create a more affirming world for others. For example, learn more about the role of inclusive language and consider how you can apply that. There are small, but meaningful things you can do such as changing your company communications to use inclusive language, committing to standing up against deadnaming when you see it, or adding your pronouns to your email signature and LinkedIn profile.

Educate Yourself

Cisgender folks have a responsibility to inform themselves about the needs history and experiences of trans, nonbinary, and other gender diverse folks. Unfortunately, legacy media, politicians, and people who are bigoted or uninformed have engaged in dedicated efforts to spread misinformation and continue furthering talking points that are harmful.

If you choose to learn more about transgender history, how to be a better advocate, or simply what it means to identify as trans, keep in mind that marginalized people are not obligated to be educators. Instead of expecting them to engage in that free labor, take on responsibility for your own learning. You can do this by following trans and nonbinary creators on social media, purchasing books written about trans experiences, or finding other resources created for cisgender allies. Then, keep in mind that the work done to provide these resources should be compensated.

Offer Direct Support

Not every trans person has the resources to live authentically. They may live in a country that criminalizes their existence, face bullying and exclusion in school, or simply not have the financial means to pursue gender affirming care. It’s helpful to serve as an advocate or source of emotional support. However, trans people need material support too. If you have the means, consider donating directly to someone in need, or to a mutual aid effort.

Learn More About Intersectionality

Trans Day of Visibility in March is a great time to learn more about intersectionality. Most people are a part of multiple demographic categories. Each of these may contribute to that person’s privilege or marginalization. This means that people have unique experiences that define their stories and that it’s important to listen to diverse voices. A person’s gender identity may intersect with race, culture, socioeconomic status, disability, and other markers. To build a better future for all LGBTQ+ folks, we must engage in meaningful inclusion. Part of this includes being willing to examine our biases – even when we are also part of marginalized community.

Other Important Dates For The Trans Community

There are other marches, days of acknowledgment, and events in addition to transgender day of visibility. Crandall created TDOV to honor the contributions of those who identify as transgender. Here are some other important days that deserve attention and participation.

• International Non-Binary People’s Day on January 19th
• Transgender History Week in Mid January aw
• International Asexuality Day on April 6th – Includes trans and nonbinary people who identify as ace
• Day of Silence on the second friday in April – Used by students around the world to bring visibility to the issue of bullying queer and trans people
• International Day Against Homophobia Transphobia And Biphobia on May 17th
• Pride Month – Popularly held in June to coincide with the anniversary of Stonewall. While more work is needed for inclusion and visibility. Many trans folks participate in the annual march.
• Nonbinary awareness week – Sometimes celebrated in June or in July
• International Nonbinary Peoples Day on July 14th
• National Coming Out Day on October 11th
• International Pronouns Day on The 3rd Wednesday of October
• Intersex Awareness Day on October 26th
• Transgender Awareness Week November 13th – 19th
• Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20th – A day to honor gender diverse people who have died from suicide or hate crimes

Beyond Transgender Day of Visibility- Fostering Trans Equality

Fostering equality for trans people means taking action beyond the single Transgender Day of Visibility and applying that even after March has ended. The movement that created TDOV was certainly intended as a celebration of resilience and accomplishment. However, it should also bee seen as a call to action to make schools, workplaces, and communities safe and affirming year-round.

That starts with simple and affirming steps like using inclusive language, showing respect for every person’s gender expression, amplifying trans voices on social media, and ensuring that trans kids are welcomed in classrooms. It’s also advocating for including transgender people and their stories at schools and in public libraries. Finally, Trans Day of Visibility can be honored all year long by demanding better representation and accountability through laws and policies.

A truly focused approach to trans inclusion means looking at the existing systems and tearing them down where necessary. Advocates and allies must be willing to examine the institutions of learning, healthcare, employment, and media that often ignore or actively harm gender-diverse folks. There are many opportunities for supporting trans led organizations, mentoring young trans people, honoring transgender art and literature, and offering material support. Trans Day of Visibility is an important day in March. However, it should be a jumping off point that begins our work towards equity for all.