Delmarva celebrates the International Transgender Day of Visibility

DELMARVA – March 31st marks the International Transgender Day of Visibility. While many may think this is a fairly new movement, the fight for equality in the LGBTQ+ community has a long history.

Visibility

Around 3.3 million adults in the United States identify as Trans, non-binary, and/ or genderqueer. 19-year-old Vienna Cavazos is a member of the trans community and Salisbury P-Flag, the nation’s largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people 

“The one thing that I think folks need to remember at the end of the day is that we’re also people. You treat people with respect- That’s a value I’ve heard people share on the Shore. is that we treat our neighbors with respect.”

Cavazos says people fear what they don’t know. “We need to take care of each other and be able to have conversations and dialogues that may make us feel uncomfortable but at the end of the day we come into those conversations with the same respect and decency that we would have any other conversation.”

History

In 1952 Christine Jorgensen, a former army private became the first American to publicly transition. The 1969 Stonewall Riots was said to spark the LGBT movement after police raided a gay club in New York City.

In addition, the work of the 1970s Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries or STAR House started by Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson is still honored today.

Advocacy

Norma Eckard, Vienna’s mom says it can take time but as a parent advocacy is so important. “Your child isn’t looking for all the answers. They’re just looking for your love, support, and acceptance. So that’s the most important thing, if you can’t advocate, at least do that for your child.”

Policy

The LGBTQ+ community has said President Trump has attached them directly with presidential actions such as the “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” 

Sec. 2. Policy and Definitions: It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female. These sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality. Under my direction, the Executive Branch will enforce all sex-protective laws to promote this reality, and the following definitions shall govern all Executive interpretation of and application of Federal law and administration policy. 

Inclusivity

CAMP Rehoboth is an LGBTQ+ community center determined to Create a More Positive (CAMP) environment that is inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities in Southern Delaware and beyond. Communication Manager Matty Brown says they won’t stand for discrimination.

“The current administration is seeking to erase the Trans Community, and it’s important to note that the Trans Folk have always been around, throughout history and this isn’t a new issue.”

Community

Their hope for Delmarva, to celebrate all trans and non-binary people everywhere, while combating disinformation, discrimination, and hate impacting the LGBTQ+ community.

Trans advocates say there are many ways to become an ally. For instance, you can attend workshops, read books, or just simply have conversations with folks in the community.