Ruben Goldsbrough
Today is transgender day of visibility - or TDoV for short.
It is a day when Trans folk, our community, and our allies celebrate Trans lives. A day to honour who we are as people, to embrace our diversity and to raise awareness of the challenges we still face.
For anyone unfamiliar, TDoV is a more recently founded event than its autumn commemoration counterpart, Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR). In contrast to that day, established to bring attention to the continued violence and discrimination endured by the trans-community, in 2009 trans activist Rachel Crandall founded TDoV in response to the lack of an event to honour Trans folk.
In 2009 I was finding my way around the Trans community and understanding what being Trans means to me. That year I had no exposure to the day itself, given its newness. At the time I knew of TDoR and its significance. Like Rachel Crandall though, I did sense something was missing for our lived lives. Had TDoV already been established it may have been a beacon to me and others. Over the following years the day grew in profile and stature and I came to understand the contribution it was beginning to make for our community. Countries can, and sometimes do, pass positive legislation to effect change. It takes more though to empower people to be themselves. It takes more to win the hearts and minds of our brothers and sisters. It takes more to engender understanding
Transgender DAy of remembrance 2016
In my experience, Trans is often misunderstood. In 2016, such misunderstanding is sometimes glossed over with an ever growing trans media profile. Yes, Time Magazine declared a 'Trans tipping point' in 2014 and yes, NME heralded 2015 as the year 'Trans culture went mainstream'. There is still much to do though. Many people conflate gender identity with sexuality. There is limited awareness that who you love is not the same as your sense of gender - or indeed lack of. There is limited knowledge of wider identities and experience under the broad Transgender umbrella. In the UK there is much legal change still needed. I can go on and on. Days like TDoV present us with both a moment to reflect and an opportunity to stand up together for what we passionately believe in. It is also a day to simply be. To be who we are. To be who I am.
I believe now that TDoV has become that beacon to many around the world. A beacon for all those taking pride in who we are and seeking positive change in our lives and/or the lives of others. A beacon to light our community and all who serve it.
