Delhi: Celebrating resilience on International Transgender Day of Visibility

March 31 is marked as International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV), a day dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments, resilience and visibility of transgender people across the globe. The day shines a spotlight on the trans community’s strength while also raising awareness about the discrimination, violence, and challenges that many transgender individuals continue to face.

The observance, founded in 2010 by trans advocate Rachel Crandall of Transgender Michigan, was created to offer a platform for transgender people to celebrate their lives and raise their voices while acknowledging the ongoing struggle for equality. TDOV is dedicated to empowering transgender individuals to live authentically and fostering a sense of community.

It also serves as a powerful reminder that not every trans person can or wants to be visible, due to the

risks associated with discrimination.

Crandall, who originally established the day to highlight the positive contributions of trans individuals, said TDOV provided an opportunity to “focus on celebrating the lives of transgender people, empowering them and showing the world the depth of their strength”.

Since its creation, the event has gained worldwide traction. The TDOV first gained significant attention in 2014 when activists in Ireland and Scotland organised events, and by 2015, the day had gone viral through social media campaigns. Transgender people shared their personal stories and selfies, showing solidarity and spreading awareness about their experiences. These efforts played a key role in amplifying the day’s message, uniting the global community.

In a historic moment for the trans community, US President Joe Biden formally recognised March 31 as the Transgender Day of Visibility in 2021, becoming the first president to issue a presidential proclamation in honour of the occasion. The proclamation underscored the importance of the fight for full equality for all transgender individuals and called upon Americans to join the movement.

Throughout the world, the TDOV is celebrated in a variety of ways. In some cities, trans marches are held, where members of the trans community gather to address human rights struggles and advocate for social change. These marches also serve as a reminder of the challenges many trans people still face, while celebrating their resilience. On social media, the trans community continues to share stories, selfies, and educational content.