Trans Day of Visibility is coming! - Friday March 31 2017
Get pumped, y’all, TDOV has come round again! And this year’s theme is...
It’s the third year I’ve tried to raise awareness, and I still don’t know which tags are the most popular ones, so keep an eye on the following: #tdov #transdayofvisibility #trans day of visibility #trans visibility #trans pride #transresistance #trans resistance
For anyone not familiar with it, Trans Day of Visibility is one of the two main days that trans people have (the other being Trans Day of Remembrance on Nov 20), and it’s dedicated to trans people sharing their stories and experiences, and, online, often a bunch of amazing selfies!
The day was first established internationally in 2009, so this is the 9th year. With the amount of time we spend in silence and struggle, this is one of those times where it’s a real opportunity for us to step up, make ourselves heard, and, ultimately, show that we exist. Because, of course, advocacy isn’t just about selfies - it’s about raising awareness, changing minds, and making progress towards equal rights.
While the simple answer is ‘trans people’, I know that can cause some hesitation for some people, so I want to make this clear: Trans Day of Visibility is for any person whose gender is different from their assigned gender (ie, not cis). That means that binary trans people (trans men and trans women) are welcome, but also nonbinary people. I’m aware that many nonbinary people don’t call themselves trans, and in that case it’s up to you. Personally, I’d say that you’re welcome, but if you are uncomfortable being a part of the day, then you don’t have to participate!
While I’m not able to give any information on what events are happening in any locations around the world, I’d definitely encourage you to get involved on tumblr! Posting a selfie is one of the simplest things you can do, but you also should consider writing about your experiences as a trans person.
Even though I don’t personally have any information on offline events, I’d encourage you to look into anything that may be happening in your area, and see if you can participate! Talk to your school, university, or workplace and see if they’ll do anything to acknowledge the day and the hardworking trans people that are a part of their school/business.
Only participate in any of these activities (whether online or offline) if it is safe for you to do so, and if you’re comfortable doing so. Think about who may see your posts and what consequences could come from talking to superiors in your life. Make sure you do what is best for your safety and don’t force yourself (or others!) to participate or come out.
While this is a day for trans people to celebrate our identities, it’s important that you don’t ignore this day. Read and reblog posts from trans people and reblog our selfies to share the beauty and diversity within the community. Try to find some time to go through the tags. Take some time to listen and learn, and try to acknowledge any transphobia you’re holding onto.
Also look into events in your area, but make sure they’ll allow cis people to attend, since the last thing we need on TDOV is cis people trying to speak for us and take our spaces; just be cautious and, if in doubt, ask a trans person if something’s appropriate or not!
Above all, respect trans voices and don’t out anyone!
We deal with a lot just for existing, so you’re allowed to take this day to just enjoy being part of such a wonderful community. Keep everything safe and positive, and have an incredible TDOV 2017!
