International Transgender Day of Visibility ( TDOV ) is observed on Sunday in Delmarva. Advocates say the day is an essential opportunity for trans, non- linear, and female non- abiding people to become uplifted, and celebrated for who they are.
Tough Choices
After making the hard choice to leave their lives behind in search of health, 47 ABC WMDT sat down with one non-binary person who is finding a new home here in Delmarva.
” I lived in Texas my entire life, until about 2021, when we made the decision to move. The entire procedure was hard. Moreover, a bit of a culture shock”, remembered Vienna Cavazos. ” We are south, through and through”.
Cavazos, a Texas local who identifies as non- linear, moved way across the country with their mother in 2022. After the country’s government ordered the state’s Department of Family and Protective Services to look into the case of young people receiving gender affirming care as child abuse, Cavazos had to say the difficult farewell.
” ]My mom ] feared for our safety, living in Texas any further”, Cavazos said. ” She used to be a CPS employee. She is aware of what infant abuse looks like, and providing gender-affirming treatment is not considered child abuse.
New Home, New Life
Now, the duo calls Delmar house, and a healthy shelter.
” I mean, it’s no ideal, but there are more safeguards”, Cavazos said. ” There are more tools. The only type of gender-affirming treatment available in our region was through Planned Parenthood, where we lived.
But, Cavazos says, that added layer of security came at a cost. Because I was in high school, they said,” Generally just starting great school,” the direction of what I thought my life would be.
It’s a new state, and a new life, but it’s one that Cavazos says is filled with purpose, and a message.
” The importance of non- binary people being included, and being seen, is that we’re a diverse range of people. We all come from different backgrounds. We do n’t all look the same”, Cavazos said. People have to be open to learning and acknowledging that diversity comes in a range of ways, as much as we are seen, they have to be seen.
Patch in the Quilt
On International Transgender Day of Visibility, Cavazos points out that trans and non-binary people are a significant patch in the LGBTQ+ community and should be recognized as such.
It’s a day that Sussex pride is also celebrating, and an idea that they aim to promote every day.
” Our youth program includes a large number of trans and non-binary youth,” says the organization. And so, ( it’s about ) figuring out how we can best support them. Trans and non- binary folks are part of all of our work at Sussex Pride”, said Executive Director, David Mariner. ” Listening to those voices, and working with them, is a goal”.
” Be open”
And those voices have an important message:” There’s a lot of power in assumption”, Cavazos said. ” People, even if it’s not intentional, assume pronouns, identity, just based on appearance”.
Cavazos says trans and non- binary folk are our neighbors, our friends, and our family, and what makes them different, is what makes them whole. ” Just start a conversation, and be open to learning”, Cavazos said.
On Sunday, March 31st, 47 ABC WMDT’s Hannah Cechini will be moderating Sussex Pride’s TDOV panel discussion at the Lewes Public Library, starting at 5 p. m. The event will also include activities for youth.
