Each March 31 for the last 15 years, we have recognized International Transgender Day of Visibility. The day is dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to societies. The day was founded by transgender activist Rachel Crandall of Michigan 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, observed on November 20 each year. That day mourns the murders of transgender people, but does not acknowledge and celebrate living members of the community. Day of Visibility isspearheaded by the U.S.-based youth advocacy organization Trans Student Educational Resources.
Our local chapter of PFLAG, Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays, is putting together directories of local resources for parents of transgender youth, who are particularly targeted, and who need affirming medical, mental health, and educational services. Transgender youth are overrepresented among youth who cannot live at home, who are living independently and, unfortunately, overrepresented among people who are homeless. We who believe in the inherent worth and dignity of all people have responsibility for communicating our desires to national representatives. A Transgender Bill of Rights resolution will be introduced next week by Rep. Pramila Jayapal from the state of Washington, who is Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus’s Transgender Equality Task Force. You can make a positive statement ahead of Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) on Friday. Thank you.
-A. Fuehrer
Social Justice Committee, HUUC 