As the pink, blue, and white stripes of the Transgender flag flew over the City of Kingston, they served as a reminder that the fight for equality isn’t over.
Celebrated annually on March 31, International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) recognizes the achievements of transgender individuals while raising awareness of the discrimination and violence they continue to face. TDOV was established in 2009 by activist Rachael Crandall.
While TDOV is a source of positivity for many, it remains a complex day for others, TransFamily Kingston, a grassroots organization that s transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals and their loved ones, said in a statement to The Journal.
“Transgender Day of Visibility is complex. For some of us, it’s a joyful day of celebration where we can share our progress, our wins, and share about our stories and journeys. However, this sharing can also be incredibly vulnerable. it puts us at risk, and yet many still opt to share publicly on this day in hopes of showing that it’s worth it,” their statement read.
“It takes immense courage to live authentically and it’s important to recognize that this is just one day out of an entire year that trans folx are living their lives,” they added.
TransFamily Kingston recognizes the importance of visibility in highlighting the value of transgender individuals and affirming they deserve the same respect and love as anyone else. They also acknowledged the risks and vulnerabilities associated with visibility, particularly in an increasingly hostile society.
According to the Government of Canada, 59 per cent of transgender and gender-diverse people experience violent victimization in comparison to the 37 per cent of cisgender people.
TransFamily Kingston provides through events, mutual aid, and collaborations with local groups such as Queen’s Yellow House, Beyond the Binary, and Kingston Pride through initiatives including Queer Prom, Safe Shop Nights, counter-protests, and direct aid for gender-affirming care.
“Being visible helps show we’re here, and we’re possible, and that we deserve respect and love as much as anyone else. Whether it’s to educate others, or model for those newly exploring their gender, it’s an important day to show that we exist and to celebrate our collective existence,” TransFamily Kingston said.
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