Today, March 31st is trans day of visibility. It is a day to celebrate transgender people and recognize that we exist. It is also a day to bring awareness of transgender people to the general public. Trans day of visibility was started by Rachel Crandall in 2009. I want you to let that date sink in. It was as recent as 2009 that our community finally had a day dedicated to our existence and being seen. Some people will complain that they don’t get their own day, but don’t let them bother you – the lack of need of a day to celebrate that they are a person and here is a privilege most don’t know they have. If anything, educate them on our fight. Educate them on how hard it is to exist when you are transgender. If you cannot educate, then walk away and continue to celebrate yourself. We have a long way to go in a human rights sense, but today we celebrate as we have the luxury to do so. Celebration is a luxury not everyone is allowed to have, so seriously celebrate and be visible. I was listening to Pentatonix version of “The Sound of Silence” by Disturbed. A line in the song really spoke to me about this day; “’Fools’ said I, you do not know silence like a cancer grows”. The worst thing our community can do right now is stay silent and be invisible. Like a cancer that silence does grow and lead to suppression and in some cases death. If you have the ability to stand up for yourself, to be visible, to show the world who you are – do so. If you have the ability to help someone in our community – do so. I ask that you make this day a celebration of who we are, not hate for the ones who fight against us – today is not about them. Today is about us. It's about us celebrating how intelligent, diverse and capable of a community we are. Through all the hell we fight through, for all the basic rights we have had to fight for and still do have to fight for - we are still here, we are still standing, and we are still fighting. We will not be invisible. Celebrate that power. Happy Transgender day of Visibility.
For those new to my blog let me say I am here for you. I am in school for law, so that one day I will be able to fight for our community. You have someone on your side. I love you all. You are all worthy, seen, heard, capable and enough.
I also want to mention the ones in our community who have been killed for existing. Celebrate for them today. If you know any of them say their name and do not let them be forgotten!
I'm putting some links below for you to check out and remember You are NOT alone. You ARE worthy. You ARE capable. You ARE deserving. You ARE seen. You ARE heard. You ARE loved. You ARE appreciated. You ARE Enough.
I cant wait to see how amazing your story turns out <3 - Regina
If you are suicidal, feel like hurting yourself or know someone who is Call or text 988
For Trans or LGBT Youth I suggest you check out Youth outright here - I participated in them in my teenage years and they can be a wonderful place to find support or meet friends. If the hyperlink doesn't work copy and paste https://www.youthoutright.org/
If you need immediate support in a time of crisis, please contact Trans Lifeline - at 877-565-886
A simple google search is often the best way to find support, answers, and those who are like you.
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