Transgender Day of Visibility: celebrating the community

A trans pride flag is raised during a ceremony for International Transgender Day of Visibility outside the Ypsilanti, Mich. Police Department. Photo by Melanie Maxwell. Copyright Associated Press.

by Hayden Smith
Staff Writer

This Friday marks the 8th annual International Transgender Day of Visibility.

Starting March 31, 2009 by trans activist Rachel Crandall, the Transgender Day of Visibility is meant to be a celebration of trans lives, accomplishments, and activism.

The event contrasts with the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, first held November 20, 1999, in which the community memorializes transgender victims of transphobia-fueled homicide.

Rather than mourning those who have passed, the holiday is meant to recognize and empower transgender people and activists as well as educate others in a quest to end cissexism and transphobia.

The Trans Student Educational Resources group announced this year’s theme as “trans resistance,” in response to what the organization calls an “increasingly transphobic political climate.” The goal of this theme is to mobilize and inspire the transgender community and its allies to action.

Trans people are invited to share in the celebration on social media using the hashtags #tdov and #TransResistance.

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The Gayly - 3/31/2017 @ 3:08 p.m. CST