March 31 is Transgender Day of Visibility: Here’s the history and how to celebrate

Karlee Van De Venter
·3 min read
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Each year, March 31 is marked as International Transgender Day of Visibility, a day to recognize and celebrate transgender and nonbinary people. According to the Human Resource Campaign, there are more than 1.6 million trans youth and adults in the country.

The importance of TDOV is twofold: celebrate a community that often feels unappreciated and unloved and raise awareness about the violence and discrimination faced by transgender communities.

History of TDOV

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) says the day is about raising awareness of transgender people, celebrating their lives and contributions and acknowledging discrimination and violence they face.

The day was first observed in 2009, following efforts from Rachel Crandall-Crocker. She noticed that the only widespread day for transgender people was Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to honor transgender victims of targeted attacks. But Crandall-Crocker reportedly wanted a day for the transgender community that was more about celebration, about the living transgender communities and about their fight for acceptance.

TDOV wasn’t recognized by a president until Joe Biden in 2021.

“Vice President Harris and I affirm that transgender Americans make our Nation more prosperous, vibrant, and strong,” Biden said in the 2021 proclamation. “I urge my fellow Americans to join us in uplifting the worth and dignity of every transgender person.”

Biden has continued this tradition with proclamations recognizing the observance each March 31 since.

“We’ll never stop working to create a world where everyone can live without fear; where parents, teachers, and whole communities come together to support kids, no matter how they identify; and every child is surrounded by compassion and love,” Biden said in the 2023 TDOV proclamation. “I want every member of the trans community to know that we see you.”

How to celebrate TDOV

If there are no transgender or nonbinary people in your life, you may want to start by learning more about gender identities, pronoun use and transgender issues. You can also research the history of transgender people, who existed for centuries before the term “transgender” was coined.

If you feel educated on trans existence, but want to know more on trans issues, spend TDOV researching transgender education, anti-trans legislation and reversing harmful narratives.

It’s also important to evaluate your life to determine if you exist in safe spaces for all genders. Are your home, work and social spaces accepting and inclusive? Are pronouns, identities and preferences respected? Are nondiscrimination policies clear and enforced?

Giving for TDOV

Another way to recognize TDOV is through donations and support to LGBTQ+ nonprofits and organizations. There are national and state organizations that accept donations of any size. Or if you want to donate to something smaller and more local, look at crowdfunding sites for gender-affirming care fundraisers.

You can also reach out to the transgender and nonbinary people in your life, if you can. See what they need and what you can do for them.

Here are a few relevant organizations:

Organizations