Transgender Day Of Visibility (TDOV) was founded by transgender activist Rachel Crandall in 2010 as a reaction to the lack of recognition for those living in her community as opposed to the dead. Crandall originally made a Facebook post about the subject, encouraging people to organize celebrations on that day.

Cy Creek students share why they believe TDOV is important to recognize at Cypress Creek High School, not only for the progress of the Cy Creek community but in support of Cy Creek’s trans students.

“It’s important because it brings attention to a minority group that has often suffered, and it helps to educate people,” said senior Amal Nasrallah.

The only existing day that honored the transgender community was Transgender Day Of Remembrance (TDOR), which commemorates trans homicide victims. Though an important day, there was a need for a new day of commemoration for the community.

Since 2013, Trans Student Educational Resources has organized and publicized TDOV, U.S.-based organization with the goal of educating people about transgender issues in order to improve the well-being of transgender students.

The Trans Student Educational Resources website defines TDOV as “a day to show your support for the trans community.”

The website goes on to state that “it aims to bring attention to the accomplishments of trans people around the globe while fighting cissexism and transphobia by spreading knowledge of the trans community. Unlike Transgender Day of Remembrance, this is not a day for mourning: this is a day of empowerment and getting the recognition we deserve!”

The day Crandell chose was March 31 so as to not overlap with Pride month or TDOR events. Ever since then, it has grown to become an annual celebration both inside and outside of the trans community.

In 2021, President Biden published a proclamation in which he stated, “I call upon all Americans to join in the fight for full equality for all transgender people,” making him the first U.S. president to recognize TDOV.

This was especially significant to the trans community, considering ongoing legislative pushes to restrict gender-affirming sports participation for trans youth, and their ability to access gender-affirming care that has been advancing in various state legislatures over the past few years. In Texas, for example, SB 29 passed the Senate but did not get to the House floor; it aimed to limit participation of trans youth in UIL sports according to the gender on their birth certificate.

TDOV has become a day to come together for the trans community and celebrate the struggles they have overcome and the joy they take from their lives despite those struggles.

Show your Cougar P.R.I.D.E. as we work to create a productive learning environment for every student, no matter the day of the year.