The Importance of Being Visible
Cynthia Fortlage
Award-Winning Leader in Inclusive Leadership Transformation | Consultant | Speaker | Mentor | Thought Leader | Seeking Literary Agent | Contact TransMission PR in case of media enquiries: [email protected]
While over 6400 folks saw this post, only 22 read the full post on my blog. The original post can be found on my blog https://www.cynthiafortlage.com/post/the-importance-of-being-visible
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Why be visible when the potential for harm is so real? For some of us living a trans identity, we have no choice but to be visible because we already are. And for those lucky enough to "pass" in public, reminding people that we are here and exist is even more critical.
A recent study by the charity Stonewall found that 41% of trans people in the UK have experienced a hate crime or incident in the last year. The study also found that 25% of trans people have experienced homelessness at some point.
These are just some of the risks that trans people face when they are visible. But despite the risks, many of us choose to be visible because we believe it is essential to challenge discrimination and prejudice.
This Pride Month, you will see me wearing my rainbow headband as a visible sign that I exist. In some cases, you may even see me wearing my rainbow dress along with the headband. This is how I have chosen to show a visible protest against everything we are experiencing in our community these days that feels so hateful and negative.
According to a recent study by myGwork, most Brits (63%) want trans people to be better protected and supported. The study also found that 17% of Brits know someone transgender, up from 13% in 2021.
A report published by the youth charity Just Like Us found that 34% of 18- to 25-year-olds do not know a trans person. This is significant because it means that a third of the population does not have the opportunity to learn about and understand trans people firsthand.
When people know someone trans, they are more likely to have a positive attitude towards them. The Just Like Us report found that 87% of respondents who know someone trans have a supportive or very supportive attitude towards them.
To converse with me, it's important to acknowledge my existence. This involves accepting others without preconceived notions and recognizing their humanity and fundamental human rights. By having open and honest dialogue in a safe and non-judgmental environment, we can work towards acceptance with understanding, just like many people who already have a positive attitude towards the trans community.
Being this visible is my way of not only creating a visible protest but to say in doing that that I am here, that I am queer, that I exist, and that I am not going anywhere.
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In solidarity and pride, society needs to acknowledge and accept the existence of trans individuals. Embracing visibility allows us to challenge discrimination, foster understanding through personal connections, and work towards acceptance. By creating a safe and non-judgmental environment for open dialogue, we can collectively build a more inclusive future where everyone's identity is respected and celebrated.
Speaker, Educator, Mentor, Project Manager, Enterprise Architect, Founding Partner of JMT, and President of (FEAPO)
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