Explained: Why international Trans Day of Visibility is important to celebrate
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Friday, March 31 marks international Trans Day of Visibility, an occasion started up 14 years ago to celebrate trans people and raise awareness of the discrimination they still face worldwide.
Trans identities have been a hot topic in global media over recent years, with many controversial pieces of legislation passed by governments around the world serving as reminders that human rights are still fragile.
It was only in 2019 that the World Health Organisation declassified being transgender as a mental illness, and 2000 that Section 2A in Scotland – or Section 28 in other parts of the UK – was repealed, finally allowing the likes of schoolteachers to discuss LGBT+ issues.
Even outside of official classifications or legislation, the picture can be a bleak one. Stonewall research in 2018 found that 19 per cent of trans people in the UK were victims of domestic abuse (more than double the figure for cis women, and more than four times the figure for cis men) and it has been a common trope in television and film for decades to make trans people figures of ridicule, or even murder victims.
In sport too, many governing bodies have taken a "guilty until proven innocent" stance on trans participation despite a severe lack of evidence to show that they pose any threat.
Trans healthcare is significantly under-serviced, too, meaning that unless someone can afford private treatment, they will be looking at years for a first appointment before even beginning to medically transition.
What all of this leads to is higher rates of mental health issues and higher rates of suicide and attempted suicide among trans people than the general population.
That is why Trans Day of Visibility is important. Where Trans Day of Remembrance in November gives a chance to remember those who have lost their lives to all of the issues above, the day of visibility strikes a different tone – giving a chance to hold up success stories and examples of trans people being able to live full and happy lives to help break that cycle.
