Awareness, a step closer to acceptance: International Transgender Visibility Day

In 2009, transgender activist Rachel Crandall of Michigan, headquartered in the United States, launched the day. As a response to the lack of LGBT recognition of transgender people, picturing frustration that the only well-known transgender-centered day was the Transgender Day of Remembrance, which mourned transgender individuals’ murders but did not acknowledge or celebrate living members of the transgender community.

“There isn’t a trans moment. It is just a presence where there was an absence. We deserve so much more.” – Hari Nef (Actress)Gender identity awareness can approach a child by the age of two, they can start associating themselves with and correspond to the sex at birth. However, for some, the sex assigned at birth is not an accurate representation of their true individuality. Education and awareness about the transgender community is a bridge to acceptance. Beyond the myths and stereotypes, meeting individuals on a human level is what the International Transgender Day Of Visibility wants to encourage. Discriminations and being labeled as different are byproducts of being resistant to educating oneself and making it a safe sanctuary.

On the account of the celebration, Lakshay Trust, a community-based organization, highlighted the issues and factors which have been an integral part of identity acceptance and transformation. As stories of grief and struggles were getting shared, a blanket of hope followed each of the stories.

The event got graced by several dignitaries who have been strong pillars to uplift the blanket of hope for them. HH Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad, the queen of Baroda , the maharani of Vadodara, has been an active advocate of gender equality and fostering the empowerment resources of the community. Dr.Yuvraj Jadeja, a gynecologist who encourages queer-friendly practices, spoke about how medicine has been a tool in the transformation and how much more scopes medicine holds to cope with issues such as body dysphoria. Hina Patel and Sharmili Ji, members of the Chimanbai Trust, Mayank Trivedi, a Samaj Suraksha Adhikari, and Dr. Bharat Patel one of the trustees of Lakshya Trust, shared their thoughts and presence at the event as everyone painted a beautiful picture in the spirit of celebration.

“Educating children from their root knowledge is an important approach to instill seeds of gender equality and seeing another individual as a human. It is a two-way work as a society to let go of the biases and myths that fule the discrimination. Hence, to bridge the gap and start educating ourselves”, said HH Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad, the queen of Baroda as she spread a smile on their faces.

A room filled with talented individuals who wake up with a warrior mentality every morning despite all the dismay the world throws their way. From a graceful dance performance of Anushree Rawal to the tunes of Rajasthani folk music to a series of stories shared by Krishna and Jayraj about their journey of discovering themselves. A guest performance was a tribute from a known musician from the city, Sreeraj Nair, as everyone joined to sing and dance along. Maya, a national level kathak dancer, hosted the event and engaged the audience with her poise words and graceful surprise performance anticipated by the gathering.

“Rather than making and approaching by assumptions, it is required to make a safe space for open conversation for everyone to equally contribute to the focus of establishing an empowerment for one and all.” stated a research psychologist who is currently studying the trans community.