Transgender Visibility. Visibility takes many forms. Sometimes…
By: Lee Jacobsz
Tags: Equality, Identity, LGBTQ, Transgender, Empathy

Visibility takes many forms. Sometimes the most powerful forms of visibility can be invisible to the eye.

In a world where we are conditioned and moulded in every way, visibility of / for the minority (of any kind) is crucial for the equality of all and to eradicate transphobia, homophobia, biphobia, [any]phobia — reactions ranging from antipathy to contempt, prejudice, aversion, irrational fear and even hatred. So that we may all begin to live and express ourselves in whatever way is authentic to our own experience, our inner knowing & truth.

The majority of people in the world don’t know the word transgender yet, in fact, they don’t know the word cisgender, although this may be the mould they fit, part of their identity. But this is not their fault, most have never had to question this or challenge it.

Visibility starts important conversations, so that people who don’t understand yet, people who are learning about what it means to be transgender, or that we even exist, people who are yet to discover their identity, people who have never had the privilege to even begin to question the system, their identity, the mould, their mould, the mould that we are compared to, that we compare ourself & others to, may begin to understand and see themselves in you, and you in themselves; and see that the mould is very, mouldy… and for the transgender people who may be trying desperately to fit a mould, of what a man or a woman is, or how to be trans enough, because we all want to be accepted, no matter our identity.

There is nothing wrong with the mould — but, there are countless moulds. Like, one per person at least! It’s finding your own truth within & re-moulding yourself accordingly.

It’s not a one-size fits all situation. It’s billions of unique human perspectives & experiences, sexualities, gender expressions, ethnicities, nationalities, transgender, cisgender, homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual, pansexual, binary & non-binary, [insert any label], from many upbringings, cultures, belief systems, religions, parents, families and timelines. We are all having a mostly, pretty completely unique experience, with similarities enough that we have the ability to experience through another empathetically, to take a walk in their shoes — whether a minority group or of the majority. At the core we are all the same, one. And the differences we experience is a blessing to be celebrated, rather than feared.

Visibility doesn’t have to be shirtless shots of your hot trans body (but it can be) or waving a flag (but it can be). You don’t have to have it tattooed on your forehead (but you can, obviously). Visibility takes many forms. Sometimes the most powerful forms of visibility can be invisible to the eye.

Visibility looks like relational connection. Visibility looks like speaking up and creating space for understanding. Visibility is when we can see our own experience in that of another. Visibility happens & shifts moment to moment as we go through our day. Visibility looks like expressing yourself in a way that feels comfortable & authentic to you, regardless of what’s expected of you, or as much as you can within those boundaries. Of course, we are not all so privileged to have the safety to do so — that’s why I’m writing this. This safety & privilege is not always a threat from the external or our environment, sometimes it is, and sometimes it’s our own minds & feelings, our own lack of self-acceptance, which in turn can manifest our environment.

Visibility looks like our Allies: compassionate, empathetic, open people who see us, who speak for our existence through their language and when they ask anyone what pronouns they answer to. It looks like not assuming someones gender (or anything) based on external appearance — something even trans & non-binary identified people do — we are also very much conditioned & in a process of reprogramming. Visibility looks like whatever is safe for you in your experience, and does not minimise or invalidate the experience of anyone else. Because every experience is relative and every experience is valid.

With freedom of speech, freedom to content, freedom to create, the freedom to exist openly, safely, comes a privilege and ability to educate & inform, to shift fear based perspectives & reactions that phobias are rooted in. To bridge the gap. To unite the divide. Through discourse, understanding & relational connection.

I would love to hear about your experience, your perspective. Let’s start a conversation. It’s important.