For the past 12 years, the Transgender Day of Visibility has been celebrated internationally on March 31st to honor the resilience and achievements of transgender and gender nonconforming people around the world. This holiday also raises awareness for transgender rights and the work that still needs to be done to achieve trans justice. Advocates also use this day to raise awareness around the discrimination and violence that trans people still face.
Previous to the inception of this holiday, there was no other day to honor the success of transgender people. Prior to 2009, the only other transgender-centered commemoration was the Transgender Day of Remembrance, which mourns the victims of hate crimes and violence. Inspired by this, Rachel Crandall, a US based transgender activist out of Michigan, started the Transgender Day of Visibility to honor the achievements and contributions of transgender people.
“We are not what other people say we are. We are who we know ourselves to be, and we are what we love. That’s OK.” – Laverne Cox
