This is Easter weekend, the occasion every spring (or late winter, as we in Wisconsin call it) when people of a certain faith (no, this won’t be a post on religion) find hidden eggs, consume lots of chocolate, and perhaps even get together to consume copious amounts of ham.
But this Easter Sunday coincides with another important date, and one that I, admittedly, have more on my mind than some egg hunt: The International Transgender Day of Visibility. Every March 31 is dedicated to celebrating trans and gender-nonconforming people of all stripes, as well as acknowledging the societal contributions we’ve made and the [*ugh!*] discriminatory rhetoric and laws we still have to face.
Now, on this TDOV weekend, I had hoped to dress up as Allison and so something. Anything, really. Like posing for the camera. Or go out for lunch. Or even do errands.
Instead, I’m coming off another busy week at work, not to mention an eventful month of not only work but within my extended family life. Oh, not to mention the constant stream of news affecting the trans community (topics for future posts, I assure you). It’s left me drained and tired and appreciating the fact that TDOV 2024 lands on a traditional day of rest.
At least a friend of mine texted me today to not wish me a happy Easter (my family did that), but a “happy International Trans Day of Visibility.” Thank goodness for true, sincere friends who see you for all you are.
In a way, admitting that I need to rest and have time for myself on this TDOV — and admitting on here that I need the rest — is a way of being visible. Yes, I’ll explain:
Our proud trans/GNC community has long tried to make it clear that we have our own unique lives. We have our own careers. We have our own families. We have our own dreams. And we’re just like any cis-gender person in those regards.
And, yes, we also need to rest. Well, at least I do, today.
So, in lieu of putting on something sexy, donning makeup and wig, posing for the camera, and stepping out into the world at large — you know, how the rest of the world traditionally defines the word “visible” — I’m going to have to spend this day in male mode. (Yeah, bummer.) But for sure, that doesn’t mean I’m in any sort of less-celebratory mood as my trans and GNC siblings. We’re a proud community, and we’re a community that dares to celebrate who we are…
…even if that celebrating consists solely of having a quiet day to ourselves.
To my fellow trans sisters and brothers and gender-nonconforming people (and, yes, crossdressers are trans people), here’s hoping you have a very happy, and proud, Transgender Day of Visibility 2024. Oh, and if you’re celebrating that other special occasion today, happy Easter as well.
Allison M. 