International Transgender Day of Visibility is honored around the world each year on March 31, marking a celebration of joy, resilience and the accomplishments of trans and non-binary people everywhere by elevating voices and experiences from these communities.
Although International Transgender Day of Visibility is only celebrated once per year, the work that can be done to support the community is year-round! Now more than ever, your voice matters in protecting the rights of the transgender community – did you know? In 2023 there were over 500 anti-trans bills introduced vs 148 in 2022! It is not just visibility that is needed, but active and effective support, from healthcare to employment, transgender and nonbinary people are having their rights threatened and in some cases, successfully damaged.
We’ve seen great progress and acceptance of the transgender and non-binary communities in recent years. However, we still have an incredibly long way to go, with transgender Americans continuing to face violence, discrimination and barriers to opportunity, making the need for celebration, raised awareness and education that much more important not just on March 31, but all the days of the year.
At Healthworks, we believe in the importance of equality, acceptance and visibility. Healthworks is a place for women and non-binary people to focus on themselves and elevate both their physical and inner power in a women centered space. Healthworks is and always will be a safe space for transgender and non-binary people.
Educational Resources:
- GLAAD
- GLSEN Trans Action Kit
- He/She/They
- Human Rights Campaign
- Trans Legislation Tracker
- Transgender History
- Transgender Podcast Database
Important Figures in the Transgender Community, Past and Present:
- Cecilia Chung – Chung is a longtime advocate for the transgender community and those living with HIV/AIDS, working to end the discrimination and violence that her communities face.
- Christine Jorgensen – Jorgensen was an American actress, singer, recording artist, and transgender activist. She was the first person to become widely known in the U.S. for having sex reassignment surgery.
- Janet Mock – Mock is a transgender rights activist, New York Times bestselling writer and television producer. She’s the founder of the annual #TransBookDrive storytelling campaign and #GirlsLikeUs to raise awareness for trans women and girls.
- Kim Petras – Petras is an award-winning singer outspoken about her transgender identity. She made history as the first transgender woman to ever win a Grammy with non-binary artist, Sam Smith, for best pop duo/group performance on their song “Unholy” in 2023.
- Marsha P. Johnson – Johnson was a prominent transgender figure involved in the gay rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s in New York City as well as Stonewall Rising.
- Raffi Freedman-Gurspan – Appointed by President Biden, Freedman-Gurspan currently serves as the Deputy Director of Public Engagement at the United States Department of Transportation, and is the first openly transgender person to work at the White House.
- Sylvia Rivera – Rivera is an American gay liberation and transgender rights activist, participating in demonstrations with the Gay Liberation Front.
