31st March – Celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility

By Madhurima Ghosh –

Our society always recognized only Male and Female gender but now a third gender called the transgender is gaining recognition. March 31st is a day which is dedicated to celebrate the lives of the Transgender

Transgender is a very broad term. It not only includes people who have a gender expression or behaviour different from what they are assigned at birth but also those who identify as non-binary. Some of them may acquire medical assistance to get transition from one sex to other. Transgender can comply to any sexual orientation like homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual or asexual. They can also include cross dressers. In 1988 initials of lesbian gay bisexual and transgender, was brought into use to refer them as LGBT community.

Tansgenders are never respected because they do not conform to the rules created by the society. However ancient India had many stories of LGBT. From old Bengali novels to ancient rulers to Puri temples, all of them exhibit symbols of transgender and same sex relationships. The marriage of Krishna after taking woman form with Avan before the battle of Mahabharata is still celebrated as Koovangam festival and it becomes the largest gathering of trans people.

So even though Indian Mythology held them in high place, modern world have given them only hatred, social discrimination and mental harassment. Their rights are not legally protected and deprived from proper health care benefits. They are forced to live in closet because this identity might make them loose their education, job or friends.

However, time is slowly changing. They are gaining acceptance worldwide and some of the milestones achieved are worth mentioning here-

• 2004: The Gender Recognition Act was passed which allows people with gender dysphoria to legally change their sex.
• 2017: Julie Lemieux was the first transgender to be appointed as a mayor in Canada.
• 2019: WHO (World Health Organization) removed gender dysphoria from the category of mental disorder.
• 2019: Billy porter, a gay black man won the best lead actor.
• 2020: Discrimination on the basis of gender expression is barred under the Civil Rights Act.
• 2021: US issued passport with X gender marker for non-binary and gender non-conforming persons.

Thus 31st March, Transgender Day of visibility is celebrated to recognize the long journey of accomplishments and struggles of the transgender community. This day was founded by Rachel Crandall, a transgender activist to pay honor and respect for living transgender people. On this day, we raise awareness about the discrimination, intolerance and harassment that still persists in the society towards this community and also promote for more protected legal rights for them. People worldwide participate in this event by hosting rallies, attending concerts, doing discussions or posting on social media. On this 31st march let us join together with transgender community to support them, show them love, care and make them a part of the society.