As a transgender woman I look forward to the Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) every year. I feel a deep connection to the day because TDOV is the day I came out at work, two years ago this year. The joy I felt that day inspired me, in part, to join SpeakOUT. Unfortunately, the world has changed for the worse since then, especially the past two months. The federal government and many states are passing laws and making policies that are aimed at making me, as a transwoman, invisible and illegal. The assault on my basic human rights is constant.
The support I received–and still receive–from my coworkers has been a key part of my transition. Speaking very personally, I value every call, text, or email I get from an ally. With current events being what they are, I can’t transition without support. Checking in regularly with anyone you know who identifies as trans or nonbinary is vital to their well-being. I also believe friends and allies need to claim a part of TDOV for themselves. They need to become vocal and visible advocates on behalf of the trans and nonbinary community. I urge you to make a social media post expressing support or to write senators and reps in congress.
Finally, to trans and nonbinary peers, I remind you that living our authentic lives is joyous. We cannot be made invisible or erased unless we let ourselves be. As we celebrate our Day of Visibility, do more than just be seen, let the world know we are happy, well thought of, joyful, and confident.
~Jenn (she/her)
It's a very frightening time to be visibly trans in person or online. When the results of the presidential election became clear, I got a bold tattoo of the trans symbol on my arm. I did this because, while I didn't know exactly what was coming, I knew that when things get bad for people like us, I could pass. Many people don’t know I’m trans until I tell them (who says I should be in which bathroom at restaurants and at work is a different story). And I know how to hide and how to obfuscate and elide; I am good at that, after long practice. So I wanted to do something for myself to make it harder to lie and to hide. I respect anyone’s choice to pass to keep themself safe, but I wanted to do something to remind myself of the impossibility, for me, of going back, and my responsibility not to.
Visibility is important because without it, people who think trans folks are scary or crazy or evil can't ever get to know us and know that trans people are full, and often wonderful, human beings. Trans visibility is also important because coming out as transgender–naming ourselves as trans–is a radical act of self-definition. And I have come to feel that transness isn’t primarily about politics or genitalia or clothes or pronouns or bathrooms. It’s about deciding that we can take responsibility for ourselves and who we are, and once we take responsibility for ourselves, we can do whatever we want; and once we do that, we are free. Our visible, radical freedom will help everyone, cis and trans alike, be a little more free.
Aiden (they/them)
Transgender Day of Visibility is important to me as the word “visibility” just says it all. I always knew who I was, or at least who I wasn’t, but fear kept me from living my truth. Coming out to be myself at age 60 was scary, but I would not change a thing. Being OUT there and working with the community in so many ways has totally defined freedom for me. Working with SpeakOUT, then with Fenway’s LGBTQIA+ Aging Project, and now Transgender Emergency Fund of MA has allowed me to give back to the next wave of people, so they don’t have to suffer from the same fear and get to experience that amazing and “Gabulous” feeling of truth and freedom. Visibility to me is simply and gratefully, OUT & PROUD.
Gabi (she/her)
Trans Day of Visibility is a unique opportunity to bring trans and gender non-conforming people out of the shadows of mainstream culture. As a trans person, it is sometimes hard to get noticed for the right reasons. I'm not looking to be stared at, I'm looking to be acknowledged as a whole human. It is also difficult to see yourself reflected back in others because of a lack of representation in the media and daily life, whether it be watching Netflix, going grocery shopping, or walking into a new job on the first day.
Representation is a core component of Trans Day of Visibility and is also one of the biggest motivations behind the music that I make. As an electronic pop musician, representation is very important to me. I want to continue the rich tradition of artistic expression in the queer and trans community. I also want to bring others from the "outside" of the community to learn about our lives, talents, and dreams. An additional motivating force for me is showing trans/gender non-conforming kids that they can pursue their dreams and that older people deeply care about their well-being.
On March 18, I released my second single, Freak_01, a song that is dear to my heart as a trans person. The song speaks to how often it's the "weird" people or the "weird parts" of a person that can move society forward and create joy. I want people to reclaim the freakish or weird parts of themselves because it is one reason they are so beautiful. It's not an easy journey, but it's worth it.
I hope you enjoy the song and give extra love to the trans and gender non-conforming people in your life!
https://open.spotify.com/album/1yuvDy8wEZ8101NrKQCSFV?si=j58ibEW5QkCLeflXNPw2eA
Ash (they/she)