Transgender Day of Visibility

Transgender Day of Visibility, or #TDoV, is an annual event observed each year on the 31^st March to celebrate transgender people and raise awareness of the discrimination they face worldwide.

Founded by Rachel Crandall-Crocker, a trans woman from Michigan, in response to the lack of recognition of living trans people from the LGBTQ+ community, she was frustrated that the only other well-known transgender awareness day was Transgender Day of Remembrance, or #TDoR, which mourned the transgender victims of hate crimes and violence (although, still an important thing to do), but in doing that failed to acknowledge and celebrate living members of the transgender community.

What does it mean to be transgender?

When we’re born, a doctor usually says that we’re male or female based on what our bodies look like.  Most people who were labelled male at birth turn out to actually identify as men, and most people who were labelled female at birth grow up to be women.  But some people’s gender identity, their instinctive knowledge of who they are, is different from what was initially expected when they were born.  Most of these people describe themselves as transgender or trans.

Transgender, or trans, are umbrella terms used to describe those whose gender identity is different from the sex assigned at birth.

Gender Identity VS Sexuality

A person’s gender identity and sexual orientation are two different things.  Gender identity is about you, who you are and your internal gender identity.  A person’s sexuality is who you’re attracted to romantically or sexually.  Just as a cisgender person can identify as bisexual, gay, lesbian or straight.

What is the theme of this year’s TDoV?

Unfortunately, for the first time since 2012, there’s no theme due to the global Coronavirus pandemic.  We’d encourage you to take part in any virtual events.

You can donate time, money and resources to services working for trans people.  COVID-19 has led to more and more trans people being trapped at home, sometimes with transphobic or unsupportive families.

You can find a list of organisations and charities that could do with your support here.

What name and pronoun do I use?

For many transgender people, their birth name is a huge source of anxiety, or it’s a part of their life they just want to leave behind.  You should always respect the name a transgender person is using, never ask them what their “real name” is.  If you happen to know their birth name, don’t share it without that person’s permission.

If you don’t know what pronoun to use, you can always start with your own. For example, “Hi, I’m Sarah and I use the pronouns she and her.  What about you?”

If you accidentally use the incorrect pronoun, apologise sincerely and move on.

Help change the culture and make society better for all people (trans or not).  Support those identifying as transgender by learning about the community and the language.  There are some great ways you can become an ally of the trans community.  Here are a few of our favourite ways:

• pronouns – you can add pronouns to your email signature, social media bios and make it the ‘norm’. This will help normalise this as a standard practice that can apply to everyone.  This demonstrates your acceptance of trans identities
• support trans-led projects and organisations – you can donate time, money and resources to services working for trans people
• share your love of the trans people in your life.

Let’s do our best to help transgender people feel comfortable in their own skin.  Spread your love and support to change the future for the better.

AdultWork.com stands with you.

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