International Transgender Day of Visibility

International Transgender Day of Visibility (often referred to as TDOV or Trans Day of Visibility) is an annual event occurring on March 31[1][2] dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society. The event was created by transgender activist[3] Rachel Crandall of Michigan in 2009[4] as a reaction to the lack of LGBTQ+ recognition of transgender people, citing the frustration that the only well-known transgender-centered day was the Transgender Day of Remembrance, which mourned the murders of transgender people, but did not acknowledge and celebrate living members of the transgender community. The first International Transgender Day of Visibility was held on March 31, 2009. It has since been spearheaded by the U.S.-based youth advocacy organization Trans Student Educational Resources.[5]

2019 Dia de la Visibilidad Trans, Cartagena, Colombia
Geena Rocero at a TED conference in New York City to come out as transgender on International Transgender Day of Visibility in 2014

International Transgender Day of Visibility
Presenters on stage at the 2016 Trans Day of Visibility celebration in San Francisco
Observed byTransgender community and supporters
TypeInternational
Cultural
DateMarch 31
FrequencyAnnual
First time2009
Related toTransgender Day of Remembrance, Transgender Awareness Week
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See also
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Recognition

In 2014, the day was observed by activists across the world, including in Ireland[6] and Scotland.[7]

Joe Biden officially proclaimed March 31, 2021, as a Transgender Day of Visibility, proclaiming in part, "I call upon all Americans to join in the fight for full equality for all transgender people." Biden was the first American president to issue a formal presidential proclamation recognizing the event.[8][9][10] Biden issued a similar proclamation a year later, welcoming Jeopardy! contestant and transgender woman Amy Schneider to the White House and announcing a set of measures intended to support transgender rights. [11][12]

Social media

In 2015, many transgender individuals participated in an online social media campaign on websites including Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram. Participants posted selfies, personal stories, and statistics regarding transgender issues and other related content to raise awareness and increase visibility.[13]

Controversy

Since its inception, controversies have surrounded the holiday. In 2015, the Gay-Straight Alliance at Marshall High School in Michigan decorated a bulletin board with words of encouragement for Transgender Visibility Day. Several parents said the bulletin board pushed an agenda and was contrary to their Christian beliefs. The school took down the messages on bulletin board after two weeks, which the school said had always been the limit for any message on the bulletin board. Students then painted a message of acceptance on the spirit rock outside the high school. The message was later painted over.[14]

On International Transgender Day of Visibility 2022, transgender individuals protested transphobic behavior at a local bathing ghat in Kerala, India. Police officers assaulted the protesters.[15]

See also

References
  1. "Nenshi proclaims Trans Day of Visibility". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on April 4, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  2. "Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility". Human Rights Campaign. March 31, 2014. Archived from the original on September 11, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  3. "A time to celebrate". The Hamilton Spectator. March 27, 2014. Archived from the original on April 3, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  4. Carreras, Jessica. "Transgender Day of Visibility plans erupt locally, nationwide". PrideSource. Archived from the original on March 27, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  5. "On Trans Day of Visibility, Activists Rally to Turn Compassion Into Action". TakePart. Archived from the original on December 2, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  6. "Trans* Education & Advocacy Protest RTE March 31st". Gaelick. March 31, 2014. Archived from the original on April 3, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  7. "Twitter / The_SSP_: The SSP stands in solidarity ..." March 31, 2014. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  8. Jackson, Jon (March 31, 2021). "Biden is the first president to issue Transgender Day of Visibility proclamation". Newsweek. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023.
  9. "A Proclamation on Transgender Day Of Visibility, 2021". The White House. March 31, 2021. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  10. "Hollywood luminaries sign letter supporting trans women on Trans Day of Visibility". Los Angeles Times. March 31, 2021. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  11. "A Proclamation on Transgender Day Of Visibility, 2022". The White House. March 30, 2022. Archived from the original on April 3, 2022. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  12. Judd, Donald; LeBlanc, Paul (March 31, 2022). "White House hosts 'Jeopardy!' star Amy Schneider to mark Transgender Day of Visibility". CNN. Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  13. "These Trans People Are Taking Selfies To Celebrate Transgender Day Of Visibility". BuzzFeed LGBT. March 31, 2015. Archived from the original on November 15, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  14. "Controversy on International Transgender Day of Visibility". Channel 3 News WWMT. March 31, 2015. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  15. "Transgender activists, cops clash in Aluva on International Transgender Day". Onmanorama. March 31, 2022. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022.

Further reading
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