Honoring Transgender Day of Visibility
A message from: Lorenley Báez, Associate Provost for Equity & Belonging
Office of Equity & Belonging
Dear Students,
International Transgender Day of Visibility dates back to 2009 when transgender activist Rachel Crandall, frustrated with the lack of support for transgender people, created the annual observance to celebrate the transgender community, honor their contributions to society, and raise awareness about the discrimination they face. This year, the recognition day is commemorated on Monday, March 31, 2025. At the time, Crandall noted that the only well-known transgender-specific observance was the Transgender Day of Remembrance, which mourns transgender lives lost due to anti-transgender violence.
As we recognize this day, I invite us to be curious, reflective, and introspective about the history, contributions, and cultural legacy of transgender people. Let us give consideration to the societal structures that have systematically oppressed transgender and nonbinary people. Understanding gender construction in relation to stifling social norms is crucial for our collective liberation.
Furthermore, as the transgender community continues to seek equitable access to gender-affirming healthcare and to grapple with attacks on its safety, it is vital that we actively persist in our support of and advocacy for transgender people. I recommend we reflect upon what it means to advocate for the pursuit of freedom. I urge us to contemplate two questions – what does freedom mean? And, what does it mean to be in solidarity with one another, celebrating our freedom and finding joy in our common existence?
To further engage with these questions, I invite you to attend a timely event hosted by The SexTech Lab: Unpacking the Gender Executive Order, taking place virtually on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Learn more and RSVP here.
There are several initiatives, resources, and academic offerings at The New School that promote this dynamic community.
- Sex E Collective
- Queer Collective
- Gender Riot
- Gender & Sexualities Studies Institute
- Academic offerings
- LGBTQ+ resources
- Narwhal Nation
- SexTech Lab
Lastly, please join us for the Second Annual Transgender Day of Visibility Mixer on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the University Center, Room 514. This will be an opportunity to connect with each other and celebrate the transgender community at The New School. Light refreshments, appetizers, and swag will be available.
I look forward to celebrating this day with you!