Here at OUTMemphis, Transgender people are one of the populations within the LGBTQ community that we have strived to focus our work on. We do this through specialized peer-led groups, navigation through the difficult process of transitioning legally and socially, offering emergency services to trans youth who find themselves on the streets, organizing Trans Equity Rallies to oppose transphobic legislation, and many other resources and programs.
Transgender people exist at every point on the cross-section of the human experience. Trans folks are your neighbor, your teacher, your parents, your children, your co-worker, your partner. Trans people come from every cultural, racial, and religious background. Trans people occupy space in every place imaginable, and have through time immemorial.
March 31st is celebrated internationally every year as Transgender Day of Visibility. This is meant to be a day to bring awareness to the fact that trans folks are here, trans folks are valid, and trans folks are valuable. This day is a time to celebrate transgender folks around the globe and to recognize the courage it takes to live open and authentically, while also bringing awareness to the unique issues and challenges facing the transgender community.
OUTMemphis has two events planned to commemorate this day:
Saturday, March 30th from 4:00p-6:00p, PRYSM will be focusing their activities on Trans Visibility. Our 13-17 year-old participants will be discussing gender identities outside of the cisgender system, why trans visibility is so important to our community, and ways that we as a community can make more space for trans folks to live their most authentic and visible truth.
PRYSM is open to LGBTQ and Allied youth 13-17. If you would like to attend this group, or for more information, visit our web page or email us.
Sunday, March 31st from 4:00p-6:00p, OUTMemphis will be hosting a Trans Open Mic Night. For this event, we are encouraging our transgender community members to join us at the center to speak on their experiences as a transgender person. This conversation will help to facilitate visibility of trans individuals in the community, and allow our trans siblings the space to make their lives known, unapologetically and with pride!
Due to the possibility of adult language, content, and discussion of adult subject matter, this event is restricted to 18+ community members, but those under 18 are encouraged to attend the PRYSM event outlined above.
For more information, visit our Facebook event, or email us!
In the spirit of visibility, below are pictures of transgender folks from many different walks of life, all living authentically and thriving in their truth:
