This blog is authored by Dr. Kristin Kazyaka, PhD-L, a member of the IntraSpectrum Counseling team.
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As I started writing this blog, I was unsure of how to sufficiently acknowledge and celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) without also acknowledging the pain and difficulties within the trans community in the US at this moment in time. In some ways, trans and non-binary people feel more visible than ever before – but often at the expense of being vilified or scapegoated as GOP talking points.
Coming out and increasing visibility is often such a joyful and affirming experience, but it would be disingenuous to promote visibility without also highlighting the danger and anxiety that being visible can create. This TDOV, I would like for us to honor Nex Benedict, whose visibility was not honored but instead preyed upon. Nex’s visibility in an unsafe space highlights the impact of institutionalized discrimination, such as the bathroom bills passed in Nex’s home state of Oklahoma, have on the individual.
The anti-trans legislation, including the bathroom bills introduced in Nex’s home state of Oklahoma, creates narratives around trans and nonbinary individuals as unmoral, harmful, and at times, predatory. Of course these messages weigh on our spirit and impact us psychologically, and it can be incredibly difficult to manage the ways in which these messages become internalized.
It would be disingenuous to our community to not highlight the ways in which the community feels very visible at the moment, and the profound grief that has brought up for myself and many in community. However, trans-joy is not visible right now. For this TDOV, I want to invite any trans or gender diverse people to be curious about ways their joy can take up space and be more visible. I want to invite you to do something that feels joyful this TDOV, whether that is speaking with friends, dancing, or going to a local park to enjoy some sunshine.
Connecting with community is another way to intentionally take up space, be visible, and to heal through the possibility of connecting with others. Being with community can help to create a sense of feeling or being safe and create a counter-experience to the anti-trans social climate we so often are exposed to in the US. Often, there are community events centered on TDOV, which could be a great opportunity to center the trans experience and create the opportunity to draw strength from the community. In Chicago, there will be an all-ages welcome Trans Day of Visibility poetry reading at Whiskey Girl Tavern, which will raise money for compensating the writers and for a donation to the Chicago Therapy Collective.
For cis allies, I hope you take the opportunity this TDOV to set aside time to do something to honor your trans and gender nonconforming community members. Besides attending events that focus on the trans-experience, this can be an opportunity to engage in something that feels uncomfortable, like writing a congressperson, posting something about TDOV, attending rallies or protests, or speaking out politically. Please try to use your privilege in order to highlight and make visible trans needs and experiences, as you are able to do something uncomfortable without risking your personal physical safety. If you are someone who does not know where to start with supporting TGNC community members, check out this HRC article on ways to support trans and nonbinary people.
Above all else, in this difficult time, please be kind to you. You are doing the best you can.
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Transgender Day of Visibility is observed each year on March 31st. As Chicago’s leading psychotherapy practice dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community, IntraSpectrum Counseling is proud to acknowledge and celebrate TDOV, and to strive every day to provide the highest quality mental health care for clients of all ages and across the spectrum of identities. For anyone needing affirming and validating support or healing with any issue, please click here or email us at help@intraspectrum-chicago.com.
