International Transgender Day of Visibility
International Transgender Day of Visibility (often referred to as TDOV or Trans Day of Visibility) is an annual event occurring on March 31 dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society. The day was founded by transgender activist Rachel Crandall of Michigan in 2009 as a reaction to the lack of LGBTQ+ recognition of transgender people, citing the frustration that the only well-known transgender-centered day was the Transgender Day of Remembrance, which mourned the murders of  transgender people, but did not acknowledge and celebrate living members of the transgender community. The first International Transgender Day of Visibility was held on March 31, 2009. It has since been spearheaded by the U.S.-based youth advocacy organization Trans Student Educational Resources. Recognition. In 2014, the day was observed by activists across the world including in Ireland and in Scotland. Joe Biden officially proclaimed March 31, 2021, as a Transgender Day of Visibility, proclaiming in part, "I call upon all Americans to join in the fight for full equality for all transgender people." Biden was the first American president to  issue a formal presidential proclamation recognizing the event. Biden issued a similar proclamation a year later, welcoming "Jeopardy!" contestant and transgender woman Amy Schneider to the White House and announcing a set of measures intended to support transgender rights. Social media. In 2015, many transgender individuals participated in an online social media campaign on websites including Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram. Participants posted selfies, personal stories, and statistics regarding transgender issues and other related content to raise awareness and increase visibility. Controversy. Since its inception, controversies have surrounded the holiday. In 2015, students at Marshall High School in West Virginia  were accused of going against Christian beliefs by decorating a bulletin board for Transgender Visibility Day. In 2022 on the holiday, a protest in Kerala, India by transgender activists in response to alleged misconduct at a local bathing ghat. This incident resulted in a scuffle with police officers outside Aluva Police Station.