Trans Day of Visibility: Reclaiming Space and Gathering in Community
Each year on March 31, the world observes Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) to raise awareness about transgender people. TDOV is a day to celebrate the lives and contributions of trans people, while also drawing attention to the discrimination the community faces. In the state of Georgia, the mission and importance of TDOV is significant this year, given the harmful, anti-trans legislation that is being proposed and Senate committee members. Across the nation, 90% of transgender youth in the South now live in a state where a ban on gender affirming care has passed.
As a team, we have gathered in community with other queer, trans and gender-expansive folx to advocate, raise awareness, and encourage action from members of the broader community. The response has been empowering – from Pride to the Capitol led by individuals from TransParent, Human Rights Campaign, Georgia Equality, Planned Parenthood and more to the events and community spaces we’ve created in response to these attacks. As of this morning, none of the anti-LGBTQ bills passed this year in Georgia! This is a win, but the fight is not over.
To me, this year’s TDOV is about being visible, not being silent, and standing tall in what I believe in. I recognize the privilege that I hold that allows me to be an out transgender man advocating for my community. I recognize that not everyone is able to do this which is why I believe it is important for me to be with the hope of bringing trans joy, love and light to the world. One of my mottos is to, “Be who you needed when you were younger” and I strive to live up to this every day. As a young trans person growing up in Georgia, I often felt alone and misunderstood in my experience. I felt different and didn’t see anyone like me that I could look up to. My hope is that others can see themselves in me and know they’re not alone. Now more than ever it’s important to be visible so that our young queer and trans folks know they’re not alone and that there’s hope for the future. To witness trans people thriving and experiencing joy in life, despite transphobia and hate. We’re better together and we’re stronger together. We heal within community and celebrating TDOV with others is a way that we can do that. It allows us to reclaim our space, celebrate each other, and be affirmed for who we are.
Grounded Wellbeing was created with the goal of cultivating a space where trans/queer people thrive, trans joy exists, and is celebrated daily. Our values of community, reclaiming, and vulnerability means we believe in welcoming our whole selves into this space, believe in collective care for ourselves and each other, and aim to reclaim our individual and collective power to make change that starts from within. I founded Grounded Wellbeing because I recognized that there was only so much work I could do individually and I knew I needed others doing this work alongside me to help me create the change that I want to see in the world and in my clients. Creating change on a systemic level through advocacy efforts is such a core part of what we do. If we can't impact the systems that influence our clients, then clinical gains we make with them will be short lived. We have to view the work from a lens of systems thinking and support folks in all aspects of their being.
Looking for a way to advocate, or get involved in supporting the community? Consider donating to Southern Equality’s Southern Trans Youth Emergency Fund, which supports youth and their families access to gender-affirming care. There are also a number of events around the city, including the Second Annual Georgia TDOV Cookout in Grant Park, T4T Dance Party: A Trans & Non-Binary Dance Party hosted by Southern Fried Queer Pride, or the TDOV Benefit at Felix’s Atlanta
For more information, check out GLAAD’s statement on the 2024 Transgender Day of Visibility.