Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility, which is celebrated by transgender and nonbinary people all over the world.
Today is a day for allies and supporters to show up and show solidarity, with transgender visibility in politics, media, and sports at an all-time high in the United States.
How did it all begin?
The day is commemorated every year on March 31.
Rachel Crandall, a Michigan-based transgender activist and the Executive Director of Transgender Michigan founded Transgender Day of Visibility (or TDOV) in 2009.
It began as a day of awareness to commemorate the contributions of transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals, and it is a significant day for the LGBTQ community.
TDOV is a day dedicated to honoring and empowering the lives of transgender and nonbinary people. While the Transgender Day of Remembrance (or TDOR) is observed every year on November 20 to remember transgender people who have died as a result of anti-transgender abuse, TDOR is a day dedicated to honoring and empowering the lives of transgender and nonbinary people.
Rachel Crandall, a Michigan-based transgender activist and the Executive Director of Transgender Michigan founded Transgender Day of Visibility (or TDOV) in 2009.
TDOV is a day dedicated to honoring and empowering the lives of transgender and nonbinary people. While the Transgender Day of Remembrance (or TDOR) is observed every year on November 20 to remember transgender people who have died as a result of anti-transgender abuse, TDOR is a day dedicated to honoring and empowering the lives of transgender and nonbinary people.
The importance of transgender representation
Today's event emphasizes the importance of transgender visibility around the world, particularly given the dangers that transgender and gender-nonconforming people face daily.
Only 29 transgender characters are portrayed in prime-time radio, cable, and online originals, even though 11.3 percent of LGBT adults identify as transgender.
Only 29 transgender characters are portrayed in prime-time radio, cable, and online originals, even though 11.3 percent of LGBT adults identify as transgender.
How to be a good ally
Today, there are a few things you can do to support the transgender community:
- Look for articles written by transgender people. Look for real transgender stories and media, such as those produced by the Transgender Film Center, a non-profit organization that supports transgender filmmakers and their projects.
- Make a call to your nearest LGBTQ resource center. Look at what kind of assistance they need, whether it's by volunteering or providing a service that you're good at.
- Attempt to educate yourself. Allies should begin by learning the basics of the transgender community's terminology. People often mix up sexual orientation and gender identity, for example. Several websites provide advice on how to be a good ally.
- Many transgender people are willing to talk about their experiences, but this isn't always the case. If you want to learn more about the culture and how to support it, there are a plethora of tools available to you.
