International Transgender Day of Visibility
Sarah Thompson
Marketer; Publisher and Media Consultant; Lesbian Business Leader; Champion of Local Media; CMDC Media Leader of the Year 2020
Today marks International Transgender Day of Visibility. To celebrate, we want to bring awareness to you of the issues facing trans lives around the world, and in Canada.
“First, today was founded by a US-based transgender activist named Rachel Crandall and was created to celebrate the lives of those in the community, recognize their contributions to society, and raise awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people globally. Visibility is about ensuring there are positive images of trans people in society and media. We want to bring you visibility to the issues and consider how we support inclusion in media. “
Human rights are not a promise. The rights of trans people are under attack around the world but especially in the United States. This started with sports and has progressed to one that strips the trans communities of basic human rights. A record number of anti-trans bills hit legislatures in the US.
COVID-19 has been used as a means to strip rights. Panama had a gender-based quarantine approach that didn’t account for trans people and many people were arrested for simply going outside.
Gender determination legislation is being fought for around the world. In Spain, just a few short weeks ago, there was a hunger strike as the trans community is fighting to have the freedom to choose one’s gender without a gender dysphoria diagnosis from a doctor.
Canada is great, right? In fact, conversion therapy was banned in this country in October 2020. The issue is that the practice remains legal in several areas of Canada.
What can you do today and every day?
Consider your privilege and what your vote, voice, and power do for others, including the transgender community that is in Canada and around the world. Some people around the world do not have the basic right to use the bathroom that matches their identity. Here are some guiding tools from the Human Rights Commission
If you’re the parent or guardian of a trans, nonbinary, or gender creative child and need support we recommend visiting:
And as today is about visibility for the transgender community, we share with you a story of hope, of life, and of possibility.
This is Stella Keating, she is 16-years old, she is loved, she is supported, and she is a person that deserves all the rights and freedoms as anyone else. We see you. We care about how the world treats you and that you feel safe.
“Every person regardless of who they are or whom they love should be excited about their future.” – Stella Keating