Transgender Day of Visibility 2021
Today, March 31, marks Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV), an annual celebration of our transgender and gender-nonconforming brothers, sisters, and siblings where we raise awareness about their contributions to our world, as well as the discrimination trans folks face on a daily basis.
This year, TDOV comes at a horrific and dangerous time for our communities. Transgender youth are under attack in America, with over 80 bills filed across the country that aim to both stop trans youth from accessing the lifesaving medical care they need and limit their ability to participate in athletic programs.
The impact of these bills, including one here in North Carolina, is nothing short of traumatic for young people who are just beginning to find their way in the world.
These attacks are, at their core, about spreading disinformation about transgender people by those in power as a way of maintaining control and further oppressing our communities.
At the same time, we continue to see escalating rates of violence against transgender women, including Jenna Franks, a transgender woman who was murdered just last month in Onslow County. 2021 has been the deadliest year on record for trans folks, with trans murders jumping 226% in early March compared to that point last year.
We stand in solidarity with trans and gender-nonconforming people from all walks of life today and every day and honor their struggles with action this TDOV. Together, we can fight to build a better world -- and a better North Carolina -- for the next generation of gender-diverse young people.
If you’d like to voice your opposition to HB 358, the anti-trans sports bill in North Carolina, we’ve set up a portal where you can simultaneously contact all of the bill’s sponsors and the members of the House Judiciary Committee.
If you’re looking to be in community tonight, we’re holding a very special Art & Expressions Night in partnership with our Rural Youth Empowerment (RYE) Fellows. Register here via Zoom.
We've also created a list of TDOV events happening all across the state below if you're looking for something a bit more local.
No matter how you choose to celebrate this Trans Day of Visibility, we hope you'll spend some time today showing up for the trans and gender-nonconforming people in your life who, right now, need us most.
Happy Trans Day of Visibility!
Equality NC
Transgender Initiative
Charlotte Pride, TOY, Gender Education Network, PFLAG Charlotte
Orange County Department on Aging and the Project EngAGE LGBTQ+ Senior Resource Team
UNCW Randall Library, the LGBTQIA+ Office, and the Gender Studies Research Center
UNC LGBTQ Center
Youth Outright
- Trans Day of Visibility Youth Art Gallery, March 31st, Create your art and submit to info@youthoutright.org
LGBT Center of Raleigh
The Trevor Project
- Trans Day of Visibility Conversation with Gottmik (live on Instagram)