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March 31st doesn’t just mark the end of Women’s History month. It represents International Transgender Day of Visibility, an annual holiday dedicated to celebrating the transgender community and raising awareness of transgender discrimination. The holiday was founded in 2009 by Rachel Crandall, a US transgender activist. There aren’t many days dedicated towards the transgender community, which further spurred their frustrations. Many teens took to social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to spread stories and issues within and outside the transgender community.
Since its first celebration in 2009, the holiday has been spearheaded by the US youth advocacy organization Trans Student Educational Resources. By 2014, the holiday was observed around the world.
Despite great strides, the transgender community is still struggling against discrimination and violence. Unlike ex-President Barack Obama, a strong advocate for transgender students, Trump is not so understanding. Back in February, according to The Washington Post, the Trump administration revoked federal protections specifying that transgender students have the right to use public school restrooms that align with their gender identity.
This year’s theme for the Transgender Day of Visibility is TransResistance. Twitter users have taken arms and are posting powerful messages for the world to see.
https://twitter.com/Yomknee/status/847769346533236736
On Transgender Day of Visibility, I want the trans community to know we stand together. You are not alone. #TDOV
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) March 31, 2017
We will not go back into the shadows or be afraid of who we are. #TDOV #TDOV2017 pic.twitter.com/2AK8ogWesf
— Kit Hazard🏳️🌈⚢ (@KitsuneHazard) March 31, 2017
Happy Trans Day of Visibility! ❤️ We're here to support you 24/7 at: 866.488.7386 ❤️ [ art via @GenderExpansion ] #TDOV #TransIsBeautiful pic.twitter.com/944ptTi5jS
— The Trevor Project (@TrevorProject) March 31, 2017
If you’re interested in supporting the Transgender community there are multiple ways to go about it. The simplest way is to show your support on social media using #TransResistance or #TDOV. Let your voice be heard. Educate yourself about the trans community and help spread the word to others. If you want to physically contribute to the cause, The Bustle offers a number of ways to participate in the celebrations. Here are a few organizations that The Bustle recommends where you can support, donate to or volunteer for:
Trans Student Educational Resources: a youth organization dedicated to education and spreading awareness of the transgender community.
National Center for Transgender Equality: The nation’s leading social justice advocacy organization for the transgender community. They work at the local, state, and deferal level to help change laws and policies for the community
The Transgender Law Center: Dedicated to changing laws and policies for the fairness and safety of the transgender community. They also wish to reduce and remove discrimination regardless of gender identity.
The Trevor Project: A national organization to the LGBTQ community. They help provide crisis and suicide prevention services for youth and adults.
And there are many, many more. We live in a time where the world is at our fingertips. Let’s help everyone be heard.
