Since 1998, people around the world have honored Transgender Day of Remembrance – a day of mourning in November for the hundreds of transgender individuals who have died in the past year. In 2009, Rachel Crandall-Crocker of Michigan founded the International Trans Day of Visibility to be held in March as a response to the day of remembrance. “I wanted a day that we can celebrate the living, and I wanted a day that all over the world we could all be together.” To learn more about Rachel Crandall-Crocker click here.
So often, the stories of trans people are told through a lens of expected tragedy. While transgender individuals – specifically transgender women of color – face extreme levels of violence, focusing exclusively on tragedy negates the individuality and complexity of trans lives.
As we continue to mourn the unnecessary deaths of transgender individuals, Transgender Day of Visibility provides an opportunity to illuminate the stories of survival, expansiveness, and vibrancy of transgender lives.
Transgender Day of Visibility is always on March 31st. This year, what is something you can do to lift up the stories of trans people in your lives? If you are trans, what is something that you can do to show you deserve to live a long life free of violence and tragedy?
To learn more about Transgender Day of Visibility, check out the following articles: