International Trans Day of Visibility: Why Representation Matters

Just like every March 31st, this year we celebrate International Trans Day of Visibility. The date is used to raise awareness of the discrimination that transgender and non-binary people face worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society and accomplishments.

How did Trans Day Of Visibility begin?

The day was founded by transgender activist Rachel Crandall in 2009 as a protest against the lack of recognition of transgender people among the LGBTQ+ community. Her reason behind it was the frustration that the only well-known transgender-centered day was the Transgender Day of Remembrance, which mourned the murders of transgender people. However, the date did not acknowledge and celebrate living members of the transgender community as Pride Day does. 

Since the first International Transgender Day of Visibility was held on March 31st, 2009, Joe Biden officially proclaimed, in 2021, the day as a Transgender Day of Visibility, stating: “I call upon all Americans to join in the fight for full equality for all transgender people.”

Trans people are still fighting for visibility and basic human rights. Even though there has been reasonable progress during the past few years, there are still political attacks carried out by extremists legislating hate in the states and Congress, and violence against trans people occurring in the streets.

TDOV seeks to end every type of disinformation, discrimination, and hate, as well as to celebrate trans and non-binary people all around the world. It also provides an opportunity for them to feel seen through positive and realistic representation, and for allies to learn more about how they can stand in solidarity. Visibility is crucial.

Transgender stats to keep in mind

• There is an estimate of about 1.6 million trans people across the United States. This means that 0.5% of the U.S. population, who are 13 years old or older, and about 1.4% of young people between the ages of 13 to 17, identify as transgender. 
• Around 29% of trans adults live in poverty, as well 39% of Black trans adults, 48% of Latinx trans adults, and 35% of Alaska Native, Asian, Native American, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander trans adults. Only 30% of women’s shelters are willing to house trans women and 27% of trans people have been fired, not hired, or denied a promotion due to their trans identity. 
• 22% of trans people and 32% of trans people of color have no health insurance coverage and many states do not allow trans people to update their identification documents to match their gender identity.
• Trans people experience violence at rates far greater than the average person. 54% of trans people have experienced some form of intimate partner violence, 47% have been sexually assaulted in their lifetime, and nearly one in ten have been physically assaulted. 
• This is also replicated in Latin America. Between October 1st, 2021, and September 30th, 2022, at least 327 trans and gender non-conforming people were killed in the continent, with 77 in Brazil, 51 in Mexico, and 20 in Colombia topping the list, compared to 36 in the U.S. The life expectancy of trans women in Latin America is approximately half that of cisgender people: between 30 and 35 years.
• 70% of trans children experience violence in their homes, and 77% of trans adolescents are expelled from their families of origin. 90% of the discrimination the victims face takes place in hospitals and health centers. In addition, 90% end up dedicating themselves to sex work.

Trans Latin celebrities to keep an eye on:

• Carmen Carrera: She is a model, actress, and performer of Puerto Rican and Peruvian descent who competed on the third season of RuPaul’s Drag Race before she came out as a trans woman.

• MJ Rodríguez: Her parents are of African-American and Puerto Rican descent. This trans woman and actress is also a vocal LGBTQ+ rights activist who found success in the show Pose, which tells the story of Trans and Queer Latinx people living in the HIV era of 80’s New York. She became the first trans woman to win a Golden Globe.

• Indya Moore: MJ’s co-star, Indya is a transgender, non-binary actor of Haitian, Puerto Rican, and Dominican lineage. They have also used their platform to speak out against racism and gather donations for sex workers, trans people of color, and those with disabilities.

• Valentina: Born in California to Mexican parents, they are a drag queen who competed on the ninth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race and the fourth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. The non-binary celebrity also starred as Angel in Rent: Live on Fox and had a cameo in ‘In the Heights.’

• Valentina Sampaio: This Brazilian model and actress became Victoria’s Secret’s first openly transgender model in 2019 and, a year later, the first openly transgender model to appear in Sports Illustrated‘s Swimsuit Issue.