There is no LGB without the T

Section One: What is TDOV? Why is it important?

Annually on March 31, people all over the world honour Trans Day of Visibility: a celebration of trans and non binary communities, and an acknowledgement of the discrimination and violence faced by transgender people every day. Each year, it seems, transgender hate crimes rise. Each year, hundreds of trans and non binary people are murdered around the world. Trans Day of Visibility is crucial in recognizing and challenging the unbridled transphobia that makes society run.

As of March 31, forty two anti-trans bills have been passed in the United States. Of these forty two, eight target education, and seven target bathrooms. Since the inauguration of Donald Trump, we have seen an unparalleled level of anti-trans terrorism. As a Canadian, I sit on the sidelines, fearing for my American friends. As an Albertan, I recognize that we are not far behind. But trans rights are not just targeted in America. Transphobic hate and violence remains a threat worldwide, with an estimated 350 trans people murdered globally in 2024.

Second Two: Sex Vs Gender

Sex is the classification assigned to a person at birth: male, female, or intersex. Sex assignment at birth is determined by sex characteristics such as genitalia, gonads, and chromosomes.

Gender describes a person's internal experience of identity, and may or may not align with their assigned sex. In society, our gender is perceived by others based on physical appearance and gender expression: but assuming the gender of others can perpetuate gender stereotypes and cause harm to trans and gender non-conforming people.

Section Three: Terminology and Meanings

Agender: a non binary identity described as either having no gender identity, or as having a gender identity which is neutral: neither male nor female.

Bigender: a non binary identity described as having two specific gender identities: whether at the same time or at different times. This may include binary or non binary genders.

Cisgender: an identity described as relating to or aligning with one's assigned sex.

Demiboy: a non binary identity described as feeling both male and genderless, whether at the same or different times.

Demigirl: a non binary identity described as feeling both female and genderless, whether at the same or different times.

Genderfluid: a non binary identity described as an ever-changing gender identity.

Intersex: an umbrella term used to describe those born with any sexual characteristics that do not fit societal definitions of male or female bodies.

Non Binary: a highly complex and personal identity describing those whose gender identity does not fit perfectly within the ideals of male or female.

Queer: a reclaimed LGBTQ+ slur used as an umbrella term for identities that are not strictly heterosexual and cisgender.

Transfeminine: a feminine-aligned transgender person whose identity may or may not be binary.

Transgender: an identity described as a gender identity that does not align with one's assigned sex.

Transmasculine: a masculine-aligned transgender person whose identity may or may not be binary.

Section Four: Pronouns

Yes, that kind of pronoun: the kind we all use, even those who insist they'd 'never use a pronoun in their lives'. A pronoun is a simple part of speech that can used in place of a noun within a sentence.

First person pronouns refer to the speaker or speakers.

- I/me/mine

- We/us/ours

- Myself/ourselves

Second person pronouns refer to the person or people being spoken to.

- You/yours/yourself

Third person pronouns refer to the person or people being spoken about, but are not directly addressed.

- He/him/his/himself

- She/her/hers/herself

- They/them/their/themselves

- It/its/itself

Neopronouns are a group of pronouns that are not used in general language.

- En/ens/enself

- Xe/xir/xirself

- Fae/faer/faerself

- Ze/hir/hirself

For a complete list of neopronouns, see here.

Section Five: Microaggressions

Transphobia is not always as simple as violence and hate speech. Language matters. A microaggression is defined by Merriam-Webster as "a comment or action that subtly and often unconsciously or unintentionally expresses a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group."

What does this mean?

Our society is structured around specific gender expectations and conventions. Most of us are raised with knowledge of these gender norms, and the expectation to follow them. Our society is built to assign gender markers to things like clothing, behaviour, and inanimate objects. When we are taught to normalize such ideas, they become commonplace. We might use gendered language without realising the harm of it.

Some examples of microaggressions that target trans people:

- Limited choice binary forms, or professional documents that exclude non binary identities. Gender is not binary. Non binary people deserve to be included in all spaces, outside of the LGBTQ community and inside of it.

- The word preference in regards to pronouns. Having a preference implies having a choice, and pronouns are mandatory, not preferred.

- The term feminine hygiene or feminine hygiene products. Not every woman menstruates, and not everyone who menstruates is a woman.

- Saying you would "never have known!" as a response to being told of someone's trans identity. There is not a specific way to look trans, just as there is no specific way to look cis.

- Asking about birth names or plans for surgeries.

- Refusing to use gender neutral or neopronouns, claiming them to be too hard or grammatically incorrect. Likewise, assuming a person's pronouns and/or continuing to using the wrong ones after being corrected.

- Commenting on how well a trans person passes. In the trans community, passing is the idea of behaving or looking as though you are cisgender. It's a harmful cisnormative ideal that implies all women must be feminine and all men must be masculine. It also implies that there is nothing that exists beyond man or woman.

Section Six: How to be an ally (because it's about more than waving a rainbow flag)

01. Use inclusive language, and encourage others around you to do the same.

02. Fight anti-trans legislation by writing letters to government representatives and directly supporting trans people in your community.

03. Call out transphobia and transphobic microaggressions from others.

04. Listen to the voices of trans people, and take accountability for your mistakes.

05. Educate yourself using books, documentaries, podcasts, or online resources.

06. Be intentional about creating a safe space for people of all genders: whether it be at home or in the workplace.

07. Attend or host pride events in your neighbourhood.

08. Get involved in trans activism, and learn about the history and importance of pride.

Sources and Further Reading

https://egale.ca/awareness/pronoun-usage-guide/

https://egale.ca/awareness/tips-on-how-to-practice-lgbtqi2s-allyship/

https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/how-to-celebrate-transgender-day-of-visibility

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/guide/a-guide-to-being-an-ally-to-transgender-and-nonbinary-youth/#:~:text=Being%20an%20ally%20to%20trans,choose%20to%20validate%20people's%20experiences.

https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/trans-day-of-visibility-2025

https://gcn.ie/trans-day-of-visibility-2025/

https://pmac.uk/news/celebrating-international-trans-day-of-visibility-2025/

https://egale.ca/resources/#category=resources

https://tgeu.org/will-the-cycle-of-violence-ever-end-tgeus-trans-murder-monitoring-project-crosses-5000-cases/

https://translegislation.com/

https://whatsonqueerbc.com/woq-bc-stories/guide-to-transphobic-micro-aggressions