Trans Day of Visibility: A Day of Recognition and Celebration

Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV), observed annually on March 31st, is a day dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness about the discrimination they face worldwide. First established in 2009 by transgender activist Rachel Crandall, the day was created in response to the lack of recognition of transgender people in LGBTQ+ celebrations, which had primarily focused on memorializing victims of hate crimes through the Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Unlike the Day of Remembrance, which honors those lost to anti-transgender violence, TDOV is specifically intended to spotlight the living transgender community’s accomplishments and ongoing struggles. It serves as an opportunity to acknowledge the resilience and contributions of transgender individuals while educating the public about the challenges they continue to face, including discrimination in healthcare, employment, housing, and other areas of daily life.

The observance has grown significantly since its inception, with events now held globally each year. These celebrations include art exhibitions, panel discussions, community gatherings, and social media campaigns designed to amplify transgender voices and stories. Many organizations and allies participate by sharing resources, offering support, and advocating for transgender rights and protections.

Celebrating our transgender siblings’ lives and experiences is at the heart of Trans Day of Visibility. By honoring their journeys and amplifying their voices, we create space for authentic self-expression and community building. Providing meaningful support—whether through advocating for inclusive policies, offering resources, creating safe spaces, or simply being present as allies—demonstrates our commitment to transgender individuals’ right to live authentically. This support is particularly crucial as many transgender people navigate complex social, medical, and legal systems while facing disproportionate rates of discrimination and violence in their daily lives.

Call to Action

Everyone: consider making a donation to support PFLAG, GLAAD, or the ACLU.

Healthcare providers: please make a conscious choice to protect our trans siblings.

We recognize that even the most considered decision to disobey a law entails risk that will be disparate to [healthcare providers] depending on their contexts. While your decision may evoke a sense of fear and uncertainty—for yourself, your client, and others—you can nevertheless channel that fear to ensure you are tactful in your execution of civil disobedience. You can share the contours of your dilemma with your client, explain the reasons why you are disobeying the law, and center the client’s needs in your response. This situation presents an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to their welfare as well as an object lesson in how to refuse complicity in structural transphobia, which may be key to affirming and empowering your client at a critical stage of their development…

We also recognize that if you choose to disobey an unjust law…you may have to do so clandestinely. That is, you may be unable to publicly communicate about your civil disobedience, as it would undermine your client’s confidentiality and welfare. Even if done surreptitiously, your refusal to comply strikes a blow against legal regimes that seek to single out and harm vulnerable trans youth. A law [or Executive Order] cannot harm trans youth if the adult professionals it charges refuse to comply. …Particularly for those who enjoy relative privilege, consider raising your voice against injustice. Speaking out against unjust laws that harm our clients can reaffirm your commitment to doing justice by the most vulnerable among us, and can encourage your peers to explore how to foster a better world through their own acts of civil disobedience .

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