International Transgender Day of Visibility 2023
March 31, International Transgender Day of Visibility, is a time to celebrate Transgender and non-binary people around the globe and acknowledge the courage it takes to live openly and authentically. At the same time, we also recognize the urgent need for active support as Trans people increasingly face discrimination, disparity and misinformation not only around the world, but also here in North America and in our city.
The best way to celebrate and support the Trans community is using your voice and privilege to influence the people in your community and circles. You can also support the Trans community by reaching out to local municipalities and policy makers to uphold inclusion in our systems.
The resources listed below offer you the opportunity to educate and equip yourself so you can make an impact as an ally.
Understanding the Community
Transgender people are part of a diverse community with different backgrounds and lived experiences. This article provides a look at the intersectional challenges that Trans people face.
The Digital Transgender Archive aims to increase accessibility of Transgender history by providing an online hub for archival collections, digital materials and independent projects throughout the world.
In this episode of the web series InQueery, Trixie Mattel, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars 3, examines the history of drag and how it become popular in queer communities and mainstream culture.
How to be an Ally
What can you do to support the Transgender community or loved ones in your life? How can you make space for people who are different than you? These are important questions to ask ourselves as we consider our role in making an impact.
Remember, learning to be an ally to the Transgender people in your life, or to Transgender people overall, is an ongoing process. Whether you’re looking for information on supporting a Transgender person in your life or helping to change the world to be better for Transgender people overall, these guides are a helpful place to start.
Inclusive pronoun usage is a step towards inclusion and creating safe space 2SLGBTQI+ people. If someone shares their pronouns with you, it’s meant to disrupt the culture of making assumptions, and to provide you with the information you need in order to refer to them accurately.
Resources For Families
The End of the Rainbow Foundation hosts a monthly group for Calgary parents and adult family members of Trans-identified individuals. They offer peer support, resources and a community that understands your journey. The objective of the group is to enable you to affirm and support your loved one’s transition.
Pflag Canada is a national charitable organization founded by parents who wished to help themselves and their family members understand and accept their LGBTQ2S children.
Listen to real stories of struggles and success and find resources for LGBTQ2 community, families and healthcare access.
Lived Experiences
Trans Women Speak Out is a documentary film exploring the impacts of transphobic and sexual violence through the experience and voices of Trans women from across Ontario. The film is part of the Draw-the-Line – Against Transphobic Violence campaign, providing information and provoking discussion around sexual violence in our communities and strategies to intervene safely and effectively.
Transgender musicians are making their voices heard. From punk rock to hip-hop to folk, Trans musicians are showcasing their talents across countless genres and making statements while doing so.
This list of Sundance-supported films provides examples of the diverse and multidimensional voices that exist among Trans creators.
Inclusion is a cumulative process that takes time, but we all have a role to play. Actively taking responsibility for your own learning and making changes in your circle of influence is crucial to creating safe and inclusive communities for all.