Historical & Current Events dictionary

International Transgender Day of Visibility

[ in-ter-nash-uh-nl trans-jen-der dey uhv viz-uh-bil-i-tee ]

What is International Transgender Day of Visibility?

International Transgender Day of Visibility is a day dedicated to celebrating and supporting transgender and gender diverse people.

Observance of the day is based on the idea that transgender people and their lives and contributions should be celebrated despite often being less visible due to widespread transphobia.

In addition to showing love and support for transgender people, the day is also devoted to recognizing the history of transgender people and their achievements and raising awareness about issues that affect them, including the discrimination that they frequently face.

The day is often observed in a variety of ways, including with educational events and efforts to make spaces, such as schools and workplaces, more inclusive for transgender people.

Some transgender people use International Transgender Day of Visibility as an occasion to publicly identify as transgender for the first time.

International Transgender Day of Visibility is often abbreviated as TDOV or ITDOV.

It should not be confused with International Transgender Day of Remembrance, which is an annual observance on November 20 devoted to remembering transgender people killed in acts of anti-transgender violence.

⚡️When is International Transgender Day of Visibility?

International Transgender Day of Visibility takes place every year on March 31.

Related words

gender-neutral pronouns, gender-fluid, genderflux, nonbinary gender, pangender, queer

Where does International Transgender Day of Visibility come from?

International Transgender Day of Visibility was first observed in 2009. Transgender activist Rachel Crandall is often credited with founding the day as a way to positively recognize transgender people. Before its founding, the only widely observed day devoted to the transgender community was International Transgender Day of Remembrance, which was established in 1999. In this way, International Transgender Day of Visibility is often thought of as a day to recognize transgender people not in the context of tragedy but in a way that celebrates their victories and contributions while also acknowledging the work that needs to be done to ensure safety and equal rights for the transgender community.

Examples of International Transgender Day of Visibility

Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility! Transgender activists like Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson, and Miss Major sparked the movement we’re all a part of. Celebrate today by learning more about them and supporting trans and non-binary people in your life!
@queerkidstuff, March 31, 2019
Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility but I want that day to be everyday because I want you to be proud of you! #TDoV2015
@jacqui_gavin, March 31, 2015
International Transgender Day of Visibility gives me the opportunity to raise awareness that transgender people, including me, are here. It gives me the chance to say “look at me, I exist”.
Bobbi Pickard, EachOther, March 31, 2020
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More information and context on International Transgender Day of Visibility

Did you know … ?

Many transgender people post pictures of themselves on social media during International Transgender Day of Visibility as a way to celebrate the fact that they are transgender and to increase the visibility of transgender people.

What are other words used in discussion of International Transgender Day of Visibility?

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yassification, ♈ Aries Emoji, Autism Acceptance Month, Autism Awareness Month, Easter emoji

Note

This is not meant to be a formal definition of International Transgender Day of Visibility like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of International Transgender Day of Visibility that will help our users expand their word mastery.

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