Today (31 Mar) is Trans day of visibility. This is a complex day for many folx in the trans community, including myself.
In my experience, transgender folx find themselves situated along a continuum or spectrum, as to how much attention they wish to draw to their trans identity.
At one end, there are folx wanting to be ‘stealth’ and ‘passing’ (i.e. not being noticed or identifiable as trans). At the other end, there are some folx that are ‘out and proud’, flamboyant and visible. Celebrating and deliberately drawing attention to their trans-ness. And others still just want to be—they don’t feel (or necessarily want) to be ‘passing’, but their trans identity is not the focal point.
On a personal level, I find myself vacillating between the two ends of the continuum.
Some days I aspire to be more ‘out there’, embracing her trans-ness. Yet on other days—most days, really—I just don’t want to stand out too much. I just want to be.
I don’t want my trans-ness to be a defining factor of how I’m seen. I just want to be one of the girls. Unexceptional. And I know this is something a lot of folx in community are seeking as well.
However, these are not normal times. (And today is not just any old day…)
Political parties both in Australia and overseas—notably the USA—are going out of their way to deny the existence of the trans community, attempting to ‘erase’ us from history, or denying medical care to our young ones.
Major companies are toeing the line and rolling back DEI programs, and social media behemoths abdicating their responsibility to provide safe spaces for the people who use their platforms.
Over dinner on the weekend, some friends of mine commented that part of the ‘fear’ of trans folx might just come from a lack of familiarity. Not knowing someone in the trans community, or not having an opportunity to interact with them, contributes to some sense of un-ease. They commented that their experience of my coming out has helped a lot at breaking down those barriers for themselves.
Thus, many in the trans community (myself included) are speaking out and standing up—being more visible—in response to these efforts to erase and vilify transgender people.
Not only to make it known that trans people exist (evidence of trans-ness dates back millennia), but also that we are your neighbours, co-workers… active contributors to your community.
Trans folx just want to live their lives. Contrary to some of the rhetoric that’s being thrown around, we are not trying to ‘convert’ people, we are not trying to ‘enforce our lifestyle’ on others, we are not a ‘danger’ or ‘threat’, we are not seeking to get in front of anyone else on the ladder. We just want to be. To live the way we feel inside. To feel safe, and accepted.
Pretty simple, really.
So on this day, I’m standing up and being ‘visible’ about my trans-ness. In solidarity with my brothers and sisters here and abroad. To let them know they don’t stand alone. And to thank the many, many allies in my own world and experience, for your support.
🏳️⚧️💜🌈🌸