One might assume that trans people were the greatest danger ever, according to Rev. Emma Chattin, executive director of the Transgender Education Association, with all the regulations proposed and passed in several states that violate the constitutional right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in transgender people.
“Incidents in schools have quadrupled,” she said, during last week’s meeting of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. “The individual impact and consequences of anti-trans rhetoric and policy must be acknowledged. As such, each and every act of presence, even in Northern Virginia, carries with it a risk to life and subsistence.”
On behalf of the state’s trans community, the committee proclaimed March 31 as Transgender Visibility Day on Tuesday at the meeting where Chattin was present.
“Visibility for some of our people has meant being filmed and photographed with their image being used for traditional political gain, fear-mongering, and anti-trans charity,” she said. “As such, visibility can even be a double-edged sword, particularly for our trans women of color in our community, who face more intersectional obstacles of prejudice regarding safety, housing, work, and healthcare.”
According to Chattin, the board passed the proclamation on a majority 9-0 vote for these reasons.
“It means that you see this area, and this is a visible declaration of unity, and the leadership necessary to help create a better world. Leadership matters,” she said. “Because of the number of votes in your favor, we have no reason to believe this would not happen, which is another indicator of how votes count.”
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors made a statement that declared March 31 Transgender Visibility Day at its meeting on Tuesday night.
Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville), who read the proclamation into the county record, said, “I’m just very happy that we’re recognizing a community that has too often been pushed into the shadows and celebrating yet another community within our diverse tapestry here in Fairfax County.” “We truly are One Fairfax, and we want to make sure that everyone who’s a part of our community feels welcomed, feels loved, and feels empowered.”
Foust was one of the nine board members who requested the statement, which the nine members who were present overwhelmingly approved.
“To me, what really stands out more than anything is that leadership matters,” Supervisor Dalia Palchik (D-Providence) said. “What we say on this floor matters. What you say in the community, what our officials say, and the results of that really matters.”
Palchik made reference to the results of the Fairfax County Youth Survey, which is private and voluntary.
“Our transgender individuals are suffering,” she said. “Nearly half have considered suicide. You can tell from the survey that the LGBTQ+ community is the only group in our school that stands out above all other groups of students who are depressed, considering suicide, or trying suicide. We must come together, in my opinion, as well as a public health imperative.”
Both Supervisor James Walkinshaw (D-Braddock) and Board Chair Jeff McKay (D-At-Large) noted that it wasn’t a full board that voted for March 31 to be Transgender Visibility Day. Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) was absent from the floor when the proclamation was read.
“I’m looking forward to the day when we have this proclamation’s full support,” said Walkinshaw. “One way or the other, that day will come.”
McKay agreed and stated that he was looking forward to that day.
“It should be our moral duty as elected officials to defend all of the people we represent, not just the people we agree with,” he said. “But to stand up for all members of our community, especially those who are persistently targeted by those who think that this shows power when, in fact, it shows a great deal of weakness to pick on people and not stand up for them.”
During the Transgender Visibility Day voting, Patch reached out to Supervisor Herrity’s office for comment about the proclamation and his absence from the floor. His response will be included in this story once it is received.
