Transgender Day of Visibility 2026
For Trans Day of Visibility, Aitch writes about the complexities and spectrum of gender identity and the joy of living as your authentic self.
Aitch Sheridan, Trans+ Representative
"These sinister people are not to be trusted. Their affliction is evidence of criminal deviancy, and should not be permitted to take root. The first sign of this aberrant behaviour must be driven from the child."
This was the prevailing attitude from the Middle Ages until the Victorian era. Anyone who deviated from the socially accepted norm was punished for their transgression. Although, at that time, there was no specific legislation on the topic, being ostracised and abused by your neighbours was usually enough of a deterrent.
However, by the 19th Century, a few of these social pariahs had begun to openly flaunt their deviant nature, in defiance of what they felt was unfair treatment.
By the early 20th Century, these isolated individuals had formed communities and were demanding concessions from society, recognition and acceptance of their true nature. The latter part of the 20th Century saw this community rapidly increase in size as society became more tolerant of them.
I am, of course, referring to the history of left-handedness in European culture. Modern society may mock our ancestors for believing that being left-handed made someone more likely to be a criminal. But to them, their fear was real, their concerns were legitimate. A fear based on misinformation is no less frightening. Their beliefs were reasonable, based on their understanding.
Gender identity is a bit more complex than which hand someone writes with, but it does remind us that humans exist on a spectrum. Even something as simple and binary as which hand is dominant is more complex than it appears. Some people are ambidextrous, which means they can use either hand equally well. Some people experience slight ambidexterity, allowing them to use either hand, but still having a dominant hand.
It also reminds us that our fears, no matter how real they feel, are often fuelled by a lack of understanding. It cautions us against making assumptions about a group based on one feature that they share.
It shows us how people are willing to repress their natural instincts in order to fit in - there wasn't a sudden spike of south-paws born in the 60s and 70s, schools just stopped punishing children for using their left hand. Just as there aren't more Trans people around today, there are just more Trans people coming out openly.
You might wonder why someone would risk alienating their family and friends, losing their job, being attacked in the street, or any of the other dangers facing Trans+ people in our society at present. The exact reasons will vary from person to person, but a common theme that runs through their stories is joy. The euphoria of seeing yourself in the mirror for the first time is a powerful motivator. After all, who wouldn't prefer to live with joy than with fear?
This is why International Transgender Day of Visibility was created, to celebrate the joy of living truthfully. Before its inception in 2009, the only transgender specific event in the equality calendar was Transgender Day of Remembrance. The Trans Day of Remembrance is still a painful, yet necessary event. It allows us to grieve for our murdered siblings, share our grief and pain as a community and seek strength and comfort from each other.
When Rachel Crandall Crocker created Transgender Day of Visibility, it was to act a counterpoint to the Day of Remembrance. It is a reminder that we don’t simply exist as obituaries-in-waiting – we live. And our lives are worth celebrating.
At a time when Trans Rights are being rolled back, a time of escalating transphobia and violence, when Trans Lives are under attack, it is important to remember that our lives, and our joy, are an act of resistance. It is important that we celebrate our lives openly as a community; to act as a beacon for people feeling lost and alone, and a reminder that despite it all, we’re still here.
Register to join Proud's Transgender Day of Visibility event taking place this evening 6-8pm