DC Transgender Day of Visibility Rally Brings Community Together

(Crowd At Transgender Day Of Visibility/ Monet Heath)

On Mar. 31, the Washington D.C. area celebrated Transgender Day of Visibility at The National Mall. Many gathered to hear inspirational words from policymakers and activists who are taking action to support the transgender community.

Washington locals were excited to attend the event. They believe that expressing pride and coming together in the community is very critical during the current climate in America.

“I’ve been coming to protest ever since I came out for a couple of years. I think it’s more important now than ever to be a part of this because this is the most dangerous it’s ever been for trans people specifically,” said Washington native, Julia Carlson.

The speakers at the rally shared stories about how the transgender community has personally impacted their lives.

(Sign From The Rally/ Monet Heath)

Democratic Whip Katherine Clark discussed the importance of her role as a mother to a transgender daughter.

“My pride and gratitude that I have for each and every one of you as a member of Congress, as the Democratic Whip, and especially as the mom of a young woman who had the awareness to say, I’m Bradley and I’m trans,” Clark said.

Another impactful story came from New Hampshire State Representative Alice Wade,  a transgender woman. Wade shared a story about an interaction that she had during the recent election with a Republican politician.

The politician recently lost their son, who identified as transgender, to suicide. The politician asked Wade if she was transgender and wanted to understand from her perspective what would have caused his son to take his own life.

“Long after he had left, I couldn’t stop thinking about that conversation. About a father just trying to understand his child and cope, and how much pain could be avoided if we didn’t treat trans people like political weapons,” Wade said. “I will remember that conversation for the rest of my life. In those moments, we were not a Republican or a Democrat. We were just two people trying to reach out and generally understand each other.”

Throughout the event, politicians and activists continued to share support for the transgender community and ensure that their voices would be heard.

Jay Jones, who serves as the 63rd Howard University Student Association (HUSA) executive president, provided support to the community as the first transgender woman to serve in the position on Howard’s campus.

“So on this national day of trans visibility, I only have one thing to say…be visible, be seen and be heard,” Jones said.

Many local DC natives who are transgender or support the community left inspired and ready to take action.

As participants reflected on the event, they were reminded that they felt good about having the community rally around them.

“It’s inspiring to be surrounded by people that understand what I’m going through and are willing to stand up for my rights. When I separate myself from protest and rallies, I think it’s very easy to start feeling like you’re alone…the whole world’s out to get you. Being here…just kind of existing and seeing people around me, I think that it’s healing and embolden,” Carlson said.