The Trans Day of Visibility takes place every year on 31st of March. It celebrates trans, non-binary and genderqueer people and highlights their struggle for liberation, representation, and recognition. Still all around the globe trans people are discriminated against, often not even legally able to live in their true gender. We as international organisation of young socialists, stand by all trans people in their fight to live. We do not want a life where they can only survive but truly thrive.
To end discrimination against queer and especially trans people, visibility is a necessity, as it manifests their variety in existence and diminishes prejudices and fears against the community. Trans people are not one homogenous block but millions of different lives and experiences. On this day we want to celebrate their existence and the long way they have gone. Thanks to many brave and strong trans people living out and proud, more and more people can identify themselves with them and find words for their own identity. Visibility is providing words for feelings that are so hard to describe.
We stand proudly with all our trans, non-binary and genderqueer brothers and sisters all around the world. United in the fight for a better and just world.
For this year’s International Day of Transgender Visibility we asked three comrades from Germany, the Philippines and Uruguay some questions concerning transgender visibility and rights.
What does visibility mean to you and why is it important?
Visibility is relevant to help one another on our own journeys, to inform ourselves and to share knowledge about the different possibilities of transition processes. In this sense, I consider that it is not only important the visibility of trans people but also to give visibility to social collectives and organizations that can guide people in the beginning of their processes, who have info on the various gender expressions, outside the cis-binary.
– Amelie Galisteo, Uruguay
Visibility for me, means to be included in the decision-making process in creating policies for the progress of everyone. We all have our voice, though our experiences may differ from the others, it is equally important for it to be heard so that we can celebrate diversity in order for a progressive society to thrive.
– Sheen Melican, Philippines
Visibility to me means being open about who I am to everyone.
– Theresia Stahl, German
2. What is the political and social situation in your country regarding trans rights?
Uruguay has a Comprehensive Law for Trans People that was carried out by several social organizations and was approved in October 2018. Still, formal equality does not automatically translate into real equality. For trans people outside of Montevideo it is almost impossible to access hormonal therapy and the delays and obstacles that exist to start the processes are immense /Amelie
The views and opinions in the Philippines still align with the patriarch and toxic masculinity mentality, the majority are having a hard time understanding about LGBTQ topics and the depths and complexities of being trans /Sheen
The laws guiding transition in Germany were never updated by the legislature since 1981. Our Supreme Court has over time shot many of the worst parts of this law down, like forced sterilization or banning trans people from ever marrying. The new government of social democrats, greens and liberals promised to abolish the old law and pass a new law giving trans people the right to medically and legally transition without extensive gatekeeping / Theresia
How can people in your country engage and support the queer community?
In order to support the Uruguayan trans community and to truly commit ourselves, more information needs to be disseminated to the cis heteronormative population in order to fight against the existing disinformation and achieve a cultural change where we can be truly free and equal / Amelie
People can engage and support the queer community by starting to educate and free themselves from the biases and stereotypes that they were taught while growing up. They can support and empower us by actively participating in initiatives and lobbying for legislations, have a care when someone from the community experiences injustices or discrimination, and be an Ally everyday in creating and keeping a society that is inclusive, respectful, and protective of our rights / Sheen
People in my country can support the queer community best by fighting the ongoing fight against trans exclusionary regressives all across the political spectrum, as well as through political means supporting the queer communities of our close neighbours in eastern Europe / Theresia