Trans Day of Visibility is an annual awareness day celebrated around the world on March 31. The day is dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of transgender and gender nonconforming people while raising awareness of the work that still needs to be done to achieve trans justice.
Many trans women, trans men, and nonbinary folk find joy and euphoria just living our everyday lives as our authentic selves; some of us choose to be more visible, to help build awareness. But trans people are leaders in many fields, and are changing the world. In entertainment, we have Yasmin Finney (Heartstopper, Doctor Who), Hunter Schafer (Euphoria), MJ Rodriguez (Pose), Elliot Page (Umbrella Academy), Brian Michael Smith (911 - Lone Star), Tom Phelan (The Fosters), Eliott Fletcher (Shameless, The Fosters), Sam Smith, and Janelle Monae.
We have seen trans representatives elected representatives such as Sarah McBride, and Danica Roem and James Roesener in the US, Georgina Beyer (who recently passed) in New Zealand, and Canada's own Lisa Lachance, Julie Lemieux (our first out trans mayor), Catherine McKenney, and Lyra Evans. We also have leaders in medicine such Marci Bowers, and Rachel Levine, and trans rights attorneys such as Chase Strangio of the ACLU. All of these amazing trans people are leaders in their fields and are showing the world who trans people can be. They should all be celebrated.
However, as trans people increasingly live their authentic lives out loud, and society has generally become more accepting, a backlash of transphobic hate has developed. This is especially prevalent in the United States where Republican state governments have filed almost 400 anti-trans bills just since the start of 2023. These bills remove gender affirming care from trans youth, criminalize doctors for providing gender affirming care, enable trans children to be seized by the state, make it illegal for insurance providers to cover gender affirming care, make it a felony for a trans person to use the washroom that matches their gender identity, restrict participation in sports, and restrict trans people and drag performers from performing. In Florida, a bill has been tabled that would enable the state to seize children even of visitors if a family member is seen as being at risk of receiving gender affirming care. Trans people and families in "red" states are terrified; those with the resources to flee to safe states are doing so, but many can't. Safe states such as California, Massachusetts, and Minnesota are passing sanctuary laws to protect trans people.
Last week, at the CPAC conference, conservative pundit Michael Knowles called for "the eradication of transgenderism", i.e. the removal of all social, legal, and medical transition, and the removal of trans people from public spaces. Together, these bills, and statements from Republicans and conservatives are seen by many, including by organizations that study genocide, as a genocidal threat against the trans community. Much of this genocidal activity against the trans community, and other marginalized communities is being driven by the extreme religious right. Evidence has emerged of organizations working together to encourage and support Republican state representatives in bringing these bills forward.
Now, Canada is different from the US, and the religious right has much less reach and power in most of Canada, but we see the same type of hate forming here. Right wing groups are copying the tactics of their US comrades. There were organized attempts to run anti-trans candidates for school boards across Ontario in the municipal election last fall; thankfully, most failed badly. Anti-trans parents are joining parent councils and disruptively protesting inclusive activities; Toronto Pflag has seen that ourselves in our education activities. School board meetings are being disrupted by transphobic presenters and remarks from trustees. A Durham school trustee who was recently censured by the board for her transphobic remarks planned a protest meeting in Oshawa along with far right groups; thankfully, the community outcry led to the venue cancelling the event, but it may still be rescheduled. Mainstream media including the CBC, CTV, The Star, and The National Post regularly publish transphobic articles and opinion pieces. Fringe political parties have embraced anti-trans positions, and mainstream right wing parties are already dabbling there.
Hate is growing but it is still early days in Canada and if we fight it strongly, it can be stamped out. Many public school boards and school administrations are very supportive of their trans and nonbinary students and implement inclusive policies. However, they need help to counter the growing hateful voices, and the trans community is not enough. We need supportive parents to join parents councils, and push for inclusion. Inclusive parents can attend school board meetings, and advocate for more inclusion, and counter anti-trans presentations. And at every election we need inclusive candidates and for voters to push back on transphobic candidates.
The media will continue to run anti-trans articles if they think they attract readership/viewership; complain to media sources when they run hateful material. Engage your elected representatives at all levels, and push for more trans inclusive policies, and against anti-trans policies.
Rest assured, Toronto Pflag will be beside you, raising our voice, speaking out against hate, and working for more acceptance and inclusion in schools, and workplaces.