Transgender Day of Visibility
The presence of anti-transgender agendas has been more prevalent and obvious with each passing day. Within the past three months there have been 489 anti-trans bills introduced across 47 states in the US, and unfortunately that number climbs higher each day. Active attacks and violent hate crimes are being committed towards trans folks (especially trans women and trans women of color) and on queer spaces and events. Bills preventing access to gender-affirming healthcare (especially for trans minors) are being signed across the nation. Though it is very important to note that drag is a performance—in fact, a centuries-old form of performance art and theatre--and is not the same as being transgender, the implementation of drag bans like the one signed into law in Tennessee directly affect our trans community. The ban will not only make drag shows illegal but will effectively criminalize simply existing as a trans person in any public space. The phrasing of the bill makes punishable any “male or female [impersonation]” - which can include wearing clothing considered to be of a gender identity other than what you were assigned at birth, which especially targets trans women.
Being visible as a trans ally
We as a community – but especially cis people – must stand up and speak up. This anti-trans rhetoric goes beyond drag and bathroom bills. Even in states where there have been no bans or overt legislation against the transgender community, we are still seeing bigots across the country feeling emboldened to express their own open hatred through verbal, written, and physical violence. There are even those who won’t hide behind other scapegoats like drag – like the CPAC speaker who called publicly for the “eradication of transgenderism” (sic). Though the speaker claims that’s not an endorsement of elimination of trans people, as activist Erin Reed said, “they are one and the same, and there’s no separation between them.”
We can fight back to make way for safe transgender visibility! Through education, correction of and prevention of the spread of this rampant misinformation and fear mongering, we can re-direct the conversation. We can pivot towards pointing out the issues that the trans community has been wrongfully blamed for. We can protect and defend our trans friends and communities through truth and tangible actions. Trans people deserve not only to be visible, but to be uplifted – to be celebrated.
Visibility as a trans person
If you’re trans, you may already know that sometimes having a choice in whether you’re visible may not even be an option. But whether you “pass,” don’t pass, or reject binary notions of “passing,” how visible one wants to be should remain on their own terms.
Trans visibility creates representation, and there is power in seeing examples of yourself in the media, in sports, in families and relationships, and within our communities. Being visible and unapologetically existing in this world means that those who desperately need to see someone like you, can. For trans people, visibility means still being here: trans people have always been here, and always will be.
Support trans rights!
In these times, there are many ways to support trans lives. Through our Babeland Come for a Cause program, we make it easy to donate and 100% of the proceeds go to organizations who are doing the crucial work of community support. We are currently partnering with the Transgender Law Center, the largest national trans-led organization, as it fights bigoted laws and assists trans people in need of legal support. To make a donation and support trans rights, click here.
