Today, March 31st, is International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDoV). Started by Rachel Crandall in 2010, the day aims to celebrate those in the trans community, as well as raise awareness of the pervasive discrimination that many transgender people face.
The head of Transgender Michigan, Crandall created TDoV after realizing many of the days focused on the community highlight the disproportionate levels of violence experienced by trans and gender nonconforming people. She hoped to create a day that wasn't about mourning, but about feeling empowered and getting the recognition trans folks deserve.
The day has spread across the world, with celebrations in Russia, Scotland, Brazil, France, and across North America, among others. One notable celebration, the release of the 2015 Trans 100 list, happened in Chicago over the weekend. The list is a collection of 100 trans leaders and advocates, artists and performers, organizers and activists, all working to shed a positive light on the community and draw attention to the many accomplishments of trans people. We are more than the violence and discrimination that we face. Trans people are intelligent, creative, hardworking; trans people are all things cisgender (non-trans) people are.
The need for visibility is incredibly important, as it fosters the understanding needed to gain acceptance. Positive visibility humanizes trans folks, which is crucial when 40% have attempted suicide and 4 out of 5 trans students feel unsafe at school.
GLAAD has a timeline of trans-inclusive media, reaching back four decades. As more and more trans people are able to live openly and have gained control of their stories, the community continues to stride forward.
Events are being held worldwide. Find one near you!