On Mar. 31, 2009, the first International Transgender Day of Visibility was held. The founder, Rachel Crandell-Crocker, a psychotherapist and executive director of the nonprofit advocacy group Transgender Michigan, has stated that she is moved by the celebration of this day 15 years after it was first acknowledged. Crandell-Crocker stressed that she wants transgender people to feel a sense of joy and community while celebrating their identities.
On the 15 anniversary of this event, Crandell-Crocker described her inspiration for Transgender Day of Visibility on the Capitol steps in Lansing, Michigan. “I wanted a day that we could celebrate. I wanted a day that we could be proud of. And I had called that day the International Transgender Day of Visibility, which, by the way, I am now calling it the month of visibility,” Crandell-Crocker stated. She moved the crowd with her own story of transitioning in 1997, which led to her losing everything, and continued to explain how the decision changed her life.
Trans lives are still in danger in the U.S., with its members experiencing extreme political attacks. In states like Florida, several bills have been introduced restricting the rights of gay and transgender people. One of these many bills included banning gender-affirming care for patients under the age of 18. In an effort to “protect children,” Tennessee passed a bill that aimed to restrict and ban drag shows in public spaces. Thankfully, a federal judge ruled the law unconstitutional.
The anti-transgender push is happening at a slow but alarming rate, as other states like Arizona, Ohio, Idaho, Indiana, and Utah are pushing bills that endanger the lives of millions of transgender individuals in the U.S. These bills are created to petrify transgender children, adults, and their families, forcing them to hide their identity. Some states even go as far as to ban books, silence teachers, and threaten both parents and doctors with prison time for providing certain assistance to trans individuals. Conservative activists are concerned with “child protection” and believe that banning gender-affirming care and using excessively restrictive bills to prevent access will make their mission successful.
International Transgender Day of Visibility should be a priority when celebrating transgender and non-binary lives in their fight against discrimination. This extreme hatred is strongly affecting the lives of transgender Americans everywhere, as fatal violence against transgender women, especially transgender women of color, is at an all-time high. Transgender people are being targeted, assaulted, and even killed because of this extremist transphobic legislation.
As LGBTQ+ people and allies, we should be fighting against discrimination and fighting for everyone under attack; Spread awareness about these damaging legislations. If you are able to, contact your state legislators and demand that they stop attacking LGBTQ+ individuals! Show your support by educating yourself on avoiding misconceptions and lies that have been publicized through these state legislators.
