March 31 - Trans Day of Visibility
On March 31st, Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) is observed around the world to celebrate the lives, contributions, and activism of Trans people. The day was founded in 2009 by transgender activist Rachel Crandell of Michigan, who wanted to acknowledge and celebrate transgender people. Although Trans and Two Spirit* people continue to face barriers and discrimination, Trans Day of Visibility is a day for us to recognize, honour, and celebrate the ways in which Trans and Two Spirit people enrich our communities.
We envision a Municipality of Chatham-Kent where everyone feels able to live their authentic selves. We can support Trans and Two Spirit people in our Municipality, our families, and in our community to live authentically by:
1. Assuming there are Trans and Two Spirit people in our community.
2. Educating ourselves about Trans and Two Spirit people and communities, including accomplishments and barriers people and communities have experienced (see the links at the bottom of this post). Trans and Two Spirit people have existed across cultures and throughout history, and there is great diversity within Trans and Two Spirit communities.
3. Using inclusive terminology and language when asking or talking about sex or gender i.e. Say ‘person in the green shirt’ vs ‘woman in the front’.
Today, and every day, we acknowledge, appreciate, and honour Trans and Two Spirit members of our community!
Resources:
Located in Windsor. Support Transgender, Genderqueer, Two-Spirit, Non-Binary, Queer and Questioning communities and families.
Sign up for an evening virtual Trans Day of Visibility event here.
See their ‘Resources’ section for education materials, including a glossary of terms.
Resources for healthcare system, but relevant for many sectors.
A grassroots hotline run by and for Trans people offering direct support to Trans people who are in crisis.
Learn more about Trans community members and Trans justice milestones in Canada.
Trans Day of Visibility resources, including resources on inclusive and affirming language.
Bring together members of Two Spirit, Trans, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Queer communities within Chatham-Kent.
*Trans can be used as a term for people whose gender identity is different than what was assigned at birth. Trans can also be used as an umbrella term for anyone who does not identify as ‘cisgender’. People can use many different terms to describe their sense of gender and there are a number of other terms that carry cultural and historical roots in communities. For more information, see the links above.
Two Spirit is a term used by some Indigenous and First Nations people to describe having both a male and female spirit within them. The term reflects understandings of gender, gender roles, spirituality, and the history of sexual and gender diversity in Indigenous cultures. Traditionally, Two Spirit people held significant cultural roles in Indigenous communities.
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