# Today, March 31st, is the Transgender Day of Visibility to foster empowerment and getting the deserved recognition by:
* showing support for the transgender community
* bringing attention to the accomplishments of trans people around the globe and
* fighting cissexism and transphobia by spreading knowledge of the trans community

**This Years Theme:**
This year’s theme is trans resistance (#TransResistance). In the increasingly transphobic global political climate, we must use our newfound visibility to mobilize trans people against oppression. Speaking out, taking direct action, and educating others is critical to our safety and wellbeing. This recognizes that while visibility is important, we must take action against transphobia. Visibility is not enough alone to bring transgender liberation. However, we can use visibility as a vital tool for transgender justice.
>-[Trans Student Educational Resources](http://www.transstudent.org/tdov)

<center>![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmNN1URnWeuZPQRuCnuvuyUQjsK83h9TrniQ8qiE8SHNfg/image.png)</center>

>On this Trans Day of Visibility we reassert that we will not and cannot be erased.
>-[Laverne Cox](http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2017/03/31/laverne-cox-posts-message-on-the-continued-significance-of-transgender-day-of-visibility/99882190/)



There are still many out there who are against people being who they feel they are, typically claiming their religious beliefs as their basis of reasoning. This has lead to disproportionate harassment, assault, discrimination, suicide and murder rates. In essence they are the ones who claim that being a 'good' person requires kicking out children, being demeaning, claiming lives aren't worthwhile if not in their own view of religion. 

### Trans people are people too!
They deserve the same respect and right to live their own lives, find their own paths, and in the age of information, time is on our side. Those who thump others with their bibles as a means of demanding compliance for their own comfort, are being shunned more by society and slowly dying off. They're always so shocked and offended when their thinly veiled hate or fear is called out.

I must acknowledge the HUGE parts of the religious population who are supportive of the trans community and in general allowing people to find themselves. This really has ZERO to do with a specific religion, with trans allies existing across the spectrum. I thank all of you out there that support us, or at least provide the respect allowing us to live our own lives.

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## <center>Trans Coming into the Limelight</center>
<center>![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmU1fz1xkAb9iRWBzG1orMrMHy95jxTCdoZkGGQUfmPhXj/image.png)</center>
Over the last 5 years exposure of Transgender People has exploded. In 2013 [Orange is the New Black](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2372162/?ref_=ttep_ep_tt) premiered and helped springboard the career of [Laverne Cox.](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1209545/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t25) While she (and other trans-people) had been in previous tv shows and movies prior to this, it was rather rare to have a trans-person actually playing a trans-character. The show helped to give some insight to aspects of transgender life that many had not been exposed to before in pop culture. Ms. Cox has continued to be an extremely articulate and prominent figure representing the trans-community.

Other shows (both fiction and non-fiction) have been produced to provide a view of transgender life such as:
* [Transparent](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3502262/?ref_=nv_sr_1)
* [I am Jazz](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4523638/)
* [HerStory](http://www.herstoryshow.com/)
* [Gender Revolution by Katie Couric](http://www.imdb.com/news/ni60750169/)
* and to some degree [I am Cait](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4733278/) (I do not view Caitlyn Jenner as being qualified to be a spokes-person for the transgender community)

<center>http://i.imgur.com/Xs4cJOi.png</center>
## <center>Transgender and the Law</center>
<center>![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZtwB3bWTmJQDBgzKs6GqYSFCjBxrZfoN9qZc1ipewaGw/image.png)</center>

However, a BIG piece that has brought the trans-community into the limelight was the legalization of same-sex marriage by the US Supreme Court in in June of 2015. While there is no denying that we existed prior to this, it took the brunt of the LGBT community's political will. Since the high courts decision barred states from banning gay marriages, much of the anti-LGBT efforts turned towards transgender people, typically dealing with bathrooms.

Since 2013 at least [24 states](http://www.ncsl.org/research/education/-bathroom-bill-legislative-tracking635951130.aspx) have filed bathroom bills. The only one to have been passed into law was [HB2 in North Carolina](http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/23/politics/north-carolina-gender-bathrooms-bill/) in March 2016. It's conservatively estimated that the state lost [$450 million...[and]... a minimum of 1,400 jobs](http://www.politifact.com/north-carolina/statements/2017/mar/07/dan-forest/hb2-has-cost-north-carolina-hundreds-millions-doll/) between cancelled concerts, major sports events (such as the NCAA Tournament and the NBA All-Star Game) and companies halting expansions.

 ### North Carolina's HB2 bill was repealed yesterday...
but was maybe half a win. While the agreement would end the state's official discrimination against transgender people, it also included a provision that prevented ["municipalities from passing their own anti-discrimination ordinances until December 2020."](http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/north-carolina-s-bathroom-bill-repeal-who-s-satisfied-n741056) With this whole state law originally being in reaction to the city of Charlotte passing such an anti-discrimination law, the repeal is not as huge a win as it may seem on the surface. 

The US Supreme Court was slated to rule on this type of "bathroom bill" issue in the Gavin Grimm case. But after the Trump administrations ["repeal of Title IX guidance for transgender students, the Supreme Court ruled there were not sufficient grounds for the case to be argued."](http://www.salon.com/2017/03/13/the-supreme-court-wont-hear-gavin-grimms-case-this-term-heres-how-lgbt-students-will-keep-fighting/) So it looks like there will be more bathroom bill craziness in the coming years. 
<center>http://i.imgur.com/Xs4cJOi.png</center>

## <center>There is HOPE!</center>
<center>![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmVSPZaGkuqNt5dhoLY79peGr48uuHSjRfmcogoGivqk94/image.png)</center>


Even though there have been some federal protections removed for trans-people already, just coming off the [2016 record of 26 transgender murders](http://www.newnownext.com/transgender-day-of-remembrance-2016/11/2016/) (7 already in 2017,)  we do have a lot to look forward with hope.

* The town of New Hope, Texas has an openly [transgender Mayor named Jess Herbst.](http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/02/06/transgender-mayor-texas_n_14632048.html) 
* High profile advocates such as [Laverne Cox,](http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2017/03/31/laverne-cox-posts-message-on-the-continued-significance-of-transgender-day-of-visibility/99882190/) [Janet Mock,](http://janetmock.com/)[Carmen Carrerra](http://www.latina.com/entertainment/buzz/carmen-carrera-brazil-outpost-docuseries) and many others will continue provide their stories and wisdom. 
* More transgender concepts in the media will continue to enhance understanding to transpeople and their ever growing backing of allies
* Ignorance, Fear and Hate will continue shrink as people are exposed to more and more ACCURATE information, becoming better educated on what a transgender life entails.
* More transgender people become empowered to be proud of who they are!

## I am who I am! While a piece of that includes being transgender, it is NOT my only identity! I am an daughter, a sister, a friend, an intellectual, an optimist, a giving and good person! 

The awareness campaigns started in the 1980's led to 9 out of 10 people now knowing or loving somebody who is gay. Over time, the same can be achieved for the trans-community. 

## <center>TIME IS ON OUR SIDE!!</center>

#### Keep Smilin' and Keep Growing

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Image Sources:
[Trans Day of Visibility Banner](http://www.transstudent.org/tdov)
[Laverne Cox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laverne_Cox)
[Potty Patrol](https://www.flickr.com/photos/notionscapital/26428423704)
[Love my Trans Child](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PFLAG_of_the_Lower_Shenandoah_07_-_DC_Capital_Pride_-_2014-06-07.jpg)