Delmar resident reflects on journey, discusses Intl. Transgender Day of Visibility
DELMARVA – Sunday marks International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV). Advocates say the day is an important opportunity for trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people to be uplifted, and celebrated for who they are.
Difficult Decisions
Ahead of that day of recognition, 47 ABC WMDT sat down with one non-binary individual who is finding a new home here on Delmarva, after making the difficult decision to leave their life behind in search of safety.
“I lived in Texas my entire life, until about 2021, when we made the decision to move. The whole process was difficult. Also, a bit of a culture shock,” remembered Vienna Cavazos. “We are southerners, through and through.”
Cavazos, a Texas native who identifies as non-binary, moved halfway across the country with their mom in 2022. The tough goodbye came for Cavazos after the state’s governor ordered its Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate youth gender affirming care as child abuse.
“[My mom] feared for our safety, living in Texas any further,” Cavazos said. “She used to be a CPS worker. She knows what child abuse looks like, and giving gender affirming care is not child abuse.”
New Home, New Life
Now, the duo calls Delmar home, and a safe haven.
“I mean, it’s not perfect, but there are more protections,” Cavazos said. “There are more resources. Where we lived, the only form of gender affirming care in our area was through Planned Parenthood.”
However, Cavazos says, that added layer of security came at a cost. “Moving here has kind of permanently changed the trajectory of what I thought my life was going to be, because I was in high school, basically just starting high school,” they said.
It’s a new state, and a new life; but it’s one that Cavazos says is filled with purpose, and a message.
“The importance of non-binary people being included, and being seen, is that we’re a diverse range of people. We all come from different backgrounds. We don’t all look the same,” Cavazos said. “As much as we are seen, people have to kind of be open to learning and understanding that diversity comes in a range of ways.”
Patch in the Quilt
As Cavazos explains it, trans and non-binary folk are an important patch in the quilt of the LGBTQ+ community, and should be recognized as such on International Transgender Day of Visibility.
It’s a day that Sussex pride is also celebrating, and an idea that they aim to promote every day.
“We have a large number of trans and non-binary youth that are part of our youth program. And so, (it’s about) figuring out how we can best support them. Trans and non-binary folks are part of all of our work at Sussex Pride,” said Executive Director, David Mariner. “Listening to those voices, and working with them, is a goal.”
“Be open”
And those voices have an important message: “There’s a lot of power in assumption,” Cavazos said. “People, even if it’s not intentional, assume pronouns, identity, just based on appearance.”
Cavazos says trans and non-binary folk are our neighbors, our friends, and our family; and what makes them different, is what makes them whole. “Just start a conversation, and be open to learning,” Cavazos said.
On Sunday, March 31st, 47 ABC WMDT’s Hannah Cechini will be moderating Sussex Pride’s TDOV panel discussion at the Lewes Public Library, starting at 5 p.m. The event will also include activities for youth.
