International Transgender Day of Visibility 2025

Mar 30

Each year, March 31 marks the commemorative day for the International Transgender Day of Visibility or TDOV. On this day, we celebrate and uplift the accomplishments, diversities and stories of transgender, non-binary, two-spirit and gender non-conforming peoples and offer them our support and solidarity. This day also aims to raise awareness and draw attention to the disproportionate levels of poverty, discrimination, and violence that the community faces in comparison to cisgender (non-transgender) communities.

The International Transgender Day of Visibility was originally founded in 2009, when American transgender activist Rachel Crandall Crocker co-opted the term as a reaction to the lack of visibility of transgender people in media overall, and the frustration felt when the limited moments of exposure focused only on the struggles of the community such as acknowledgement of the Transgender Day of Remembrance, and excluded the positive accomplishments and achievements from the community. This became a complex issue because although Rachel understood the importance of transgender representation in media, she simultaneously understood that due to discrimination and the risk of hate crimes, that not every transgender individual wanted to be visible in order to prioritize their safety.

By definition, the term transgender refers to people whose gender identity does not align with the biological sex that they were assigned at birth. Transgender people can identify as either female, male, gender non-conforming or other gender identities that are non-binary. Transgender people may also be interested in medically assisted transition methods including hormone therapy, feminizing or masculinizing surgery in order to look and feel more like their chosen identity. To read more about what options are available through Alberta Health Services, you can click here.

The transgender community has also created a transgender pride flag to express their identity, which contains the colours blue, pink and white. The blue colour represents the traditional masculine colour, the pink stripes represent the traditional feminine colour and the white stripes represent those that are intersex, transitioning or have a neutral or undefined gender. This flag was created by American Navy Veteran Monica Helms who debuted the flag in 2000. To see and read more about this flag and the other LGBTQ+ pride flags, you can click here.

One noteworthy and influential transgender woman from Alberta is Vivek Shraya, who was born and raised with her Hindu family in Edmonton, AB. Vivek is a 3-time Canadian Screen Award winner, a creator of the CBC television show ‘How to Fail as a Pop star’, an author of the best-selling book ‘I’m Afraid of Men’, a brand ambassador for MAC Cosmetics and Pantene, a director on the board of the Tegan and Sara Foundation and has also collaborated with several musical icons including Jan Arden, Peaches and Jully Black. To read more about her and other influential LGBTQ+ people in Alberta, you can click here.

Regarding statistics, according to the 2021 Census from Statistics Canada, it was calculated that there were over 7000+ transgender and over 5000+ non-binary people identified as living in Alberta. Additionally, according to the UFCW website, the 2020 UFCW OUTreach historic binational survey of LGBTQ+ union members found that UFCW members who identify as Intersex, Transgender or non-binary observed or experienced anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in the workplace at far higher rates than all other workers. Additionally, out of the 1,000 survey member responses, 49% of all workers stated that they observed or experienced anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in the workplace over the last 5 years, a figure which rose to 85% when respondents identified as intersex, transgender or non-binary. These stats show a mere glimpse into one of the many important reasons why we need to be supporting transgender peoples and their communities.

One of the most important ways to support the transgender community especially if you hope to become an ally is to educate yourself. This is especially important in a time where anti-trans misinformation and disinformation can lead to harm to transgender communities, including the spread of false narratives and misleading policies. Because false narratives can lead to the politicization of transgender people's identities, it’s important to remember the importance of visibility as an act of resistance.

Another important way to show respect and honour for transgender people is to talk to them and refer to them with the name that they identify with, instead of their deadname. Deadnaming is when someone refers to a transgender or nonbinary person by a name they used before transitioning; which is often the name they were assigned at birth. This is important because how you address someone tells a lot about how you view them as a person and also communicates to others how they should be treated. Not all transgender people change their names when transitioning, but for those that do, it is very important. Misgendering is another act that is harmful to the transgender community, and this involves addressing someone in a gendered way that does not reflect their gender identity or expression; for example, addressing someone by the incorrect pronouns that they identify with. Both deadnaming and misgendering, whether intentional or unintentional, can cause harm to the transgender communities and is important to understand.

There are many opportunities to learn more about transgender peoples including attending rallies, marches, discussions and other activities including the consumption of media that focus on current events and news to showcase awareness of transgender history and rights.

According to the Cultural Survival website, several things that people can do on International Transgender Day of Visibility include:

Respecting pronouns.
Learn more about the term Two-Spirit.
Include Two-Spirit Folks in Awareness of MMIWG2S.
Resist Anti-LGBTQ2S+ legislation.
Read!
Follow organizations that are educated and actively involved in the transgender communities.

As social workers, we understand that human rights are universal to all populations and communities of people, regardless of their gender identity, expression and sexual orientation. In Alberta and Canada, several organizations that can help transgender communities include:

For more resources to support the LGBTQ2S+ community, you can find more from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Alberta Division, by clicking here.

I will conclude with a quote by American transgender actor Elliot Page, who once stated “I can’t begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self”.

Written by MSW practicum student, Erik Yuson.

Resources and further readings:

Alberta Health Services (AHS) - Funding for Transition Surgeries

Business Council of Alberta - 2021 Census population trends: Population by gender

Canadian Mental Health Association of Alberta (CMHA) Alberta Division - 2SLGBTQI+ Resources and Information

City of Red Deer - International Transgender Day of Visibility

Cultural Survival - 6 Things You Can Do on International Transgender Day of Visibility

Egale Canada - Trans Day of Visibility 2025

GLAAD - Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV)

Government of Canada - Gender-based violence and unwanted sexual behaviour in Canada (2018): Initial findings from the Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces

Government of Canada - International Transgender Day of Visibility 2024: An opportunity to honour our transgender community

Government of Canada - Transgender Day of Remembrance and Transgender Awareness Week – A message from the 2SLGBTQI+ Defence Team Champions