For those who don’t already know. The Trans Day of Visibility is an annual international celebration of Transgender pride. And awareness, recognizing Trans and gender diversity, experiences and achievements.
This year, on March 31st, the Day of Visibility will aim to reinforce the continued push for Trans rights. And equality in those many spheres where discrimination and prejudice is still rife.
The Day is also a day for reflection on some of the setbacks. Negativity and tragedies which still seem to dog the Trans community. Despite worldwide growing support for the Transgender cause.
To the surprise of some, Transgender people can be found everywhere. In every strata of society; from every racial and ethnic background; in every country. They may be professors or delivery people; airline pilots or construction workers. And mothers and fathers, or sons and daughters.
You may never know that your co-worker for the last 10 years is Trans. Until he or she decides to come out. You may not know that your trusted neighbor is part of the T community. Nor that the person you chat to happily in the supermarket every week is Transgender. And is planning to transition to his or her preferred gender.
What is also surprising is that many people are not aware that Trans people have always been around. You only have to go back to ancient Greek or Roman times. Or read about the history of Native peoples in some countries. Countries such as North America or Australia to find out that being different. But also being Transgender is nothing new. With modern communication and instant-this and instant-that. It’s that more and more visibility (one of the aims of the Trans Day of Visibility!) is given to minorities under the LGBTQ banner.
So, whilst the Transgender community is diverse in age, race and presentation. Unfortunately, the only real consistency is that many of the problems Trans people endure are the same the world over.
For some reason, many such problems which plague the Trans community appear to originate from misunderstandings. Or hearsay, disinformation (or, should I say, fake-news?). Or downright dogmatic resistance to change. Many of the issues we have exaggerated by politicians, religious leaders. And, to a large extent, the hostile parts of the media. Which condones the often incorrect and outrageous things these type of people say.
As a result, I’m sorry to say there are so many issues we T-people still need to address. But, if I had to put a short list together, these are about my top 3:
A second big issue facing Trans in the US particularly is the so-called “bathroom wars”
And, finally. How can we let the annual Trans Day of Visibility pass without mention of the continued murders and assault inflicted upon us because….. well, because of what? Because we are here and dare to be different?
I have to ask: what is it about the behavior of citizens in so-called first world countries. That they feel the need to murder people from minorities?
So, when you hear about the International Trans Day of Visibility. Take some time to ask why we need to have such a day (as well as a Trans Day of Remembrance).
In some ways, it is a sad indictment on the lack of progress made by all humans in respect of tolerance and love for other men and women…. still, it can only get better (we hope)!