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Monday (March 31) marks the annual Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV), highlighting the achievements of transgender people and the disproportionate levels of poverty, discrimination, and violence the community faces.
This year, TDOV comes on the heels of President Donald Trump issuing several executive orders attacking transgender rights. These executive orders are set to impact their ability to serve in the military, participate in school sports, and obtain government documentation.
“This day should also remind people that ‘visible’ does not mean ‘equal,’" Nova Bright, head of internal training, learning, and development at The Trevor Project, said in a statement. “We must continue working toward a country full of people that understands transgender people are our neighbors, our family members, and our friends; trans people want to simply be able to go about their daily lives, just like anyone else.”
The latest report on the Epidemic of Violence Against the Transgender & Gender-Expansive Community in the U.S. found that 36 transgender people were killed between November 21, 2023, the day after Trans Day of Remembrance 2023, and November 20, 2024. Half of those victims were Black women.
In a statement, Tori Cooper, director of Community Engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative for the Human Rights Campaign, said transphobia “is fueled by disinformation, rhetoric and ideology that treats our community as political pawns ignoring the fact that we deserve the opportunity to live our lives fully without fear of harm or death.”
“In spite of these tragedies, I choose to remember the beauty brought to the world by those victims who left this earth far too soon and will celebrate their memories by continuing to fight for them through the Trans Justice Initiative’s advocacy and our leadership development work,” Cooper added.
Activists fighting to combat the disparity of violence against trans people include Cece McDonald, who was assaulted in an anti-trans, anti-Black hate crime in 2012. McDonald was jailed for defending herself and served her 41-month sentence in a male prison. Since the incident, McDonald has been a vocal advocate against the structural violence and discrimination that trans women of color face. Miss Major Griffin-Gracy has also served as a community leader for the rights of trans people. While serving as the Executive Director for the Transgender Gender Variant Intersex Justice Project, Miss Major helped trans folks in the carceral system, in which they are disproportionately impacted.
Transgender people are also continuing to break barriers in Hollywood. Laverne Cox became the first transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy in an acting category in 2014. Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, or MJ Rodriguez, made history as the first trans woman to win a Golden Globe in January 2022.
While under political attack, it remains important to celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of the trans community.
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