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Today my husband and I attended the city’s ceremony in recognition of Transgender Day of Visibility. It was a brief event, which included a few short speeches and the raising of the transgender flag. The weather was cold and dreary, although the rain which had been pouring down all morning slowed for this gathering of about 40 people. Each of the speakers addressed the value of transgender people, the importance of their contributions to society, and their right to exist authentically and without judgement or harassment. At the same time, the remarks took a somber tone as many, if not all, of the speakers lamented the difficulties all transgender people face in today’s current political and social climate. Some mentioned the literally hundreds of bills in legislatures across the country targeting this tiny population in a variety of cruel ways. One speaker spoke of the fear nearly all transgender people carry right now, and suggested that even attendance at this small event in a trans-friendly community required courage that some trans people can’t summon. Sadly, all of this was part of last year’s celebration as well, and the fear and concern is still warranted — not much has changed for trans people in the past year, and mostly things have gotten worse.
As I stood in front of City Hall on this somehow-appropriately dreary day, I couldn’t help but think to myself that while the recognition of trans people on this Day of Visibility is critical, what a lot trans men and women may want right now is a bit of INvisibility. None of us who are not trans can presume to understand what it means to have a difference between our biological sex and internal sense of gender. However, I know that most trans people spend years trying to figure out why they feel different than everyone else. Many spend hours with clinical professionals trying to uncover the cause of their anxiety, depression, and innate inability to feel comfortable with who they are. I know that virtually all respected medical and psychiatric organizations recommend transition as a critical path to survival for trans people. I truly believe most trans people just want to live their lives quietly, to work, to travel, to go to restaurants, to use the restroom without fear, and to participate in the world around them without the constant companions of judgement, shame, and ridicule.
Contrary to popular rhetoric, trans people aren’t interested in “pushing an agenda” or “getting in anyone’s faces”. They’re not trying to convert children, usurp private spaces, or take over athletic competition. They just want to live their lives in the way that they absolutely need to live them in order to survive.
It would be naive not to acknowledge that there are complexities around trans women competing in women’s sports, in accommodating trans people in places like locker rooms and changing areas (bathrooms are a non-issue, a thinly-disguised excuse to promote cruelty and bigotry), and decisions around minors and gender-affirming care. These issues are being addressed every day by trans people and their clinicians, by sports organizations and coaches, by pediatricians, psychologists, and loving parents, and by many others who have expertise about, and compassion for, the parties involved. State legislators, congresspeople (with the exception of the brilliant and inspirational Sarah McBride of Delaware), and certainly the President of the United States, do not need to be concerned or involved in these issues that involve a tiny percentage of people – surely they have more important things to do.
As he raised the transgender flag, Mayor Sean Reardon said that for as long as he’s involved in the city of Newburyport, there will continue to be a ceremony to commemorate Transgender Day of Visibility. While I appreciate his passion, and hope his successors agree, what I really hope is that March 31 will one day become mostly a day of celebration. Recognition of the struggle to be seen will always be a part of this event, but l hope that in future celebrations we don’t have to spend so much capital on the awful truths that stole so much of the limelight here in our city celebration and in many nationwide.
I hope that one day everyone will understand that trans people deserve to live their lives in peace, in dignity, and in love. I hope that everyone will stop discriminating against trans people, that the hatred and prejudice from some of our political leaders will stop and the disgusting rhetoric from cowards on social media will cease. I hope state and federal legislatures scratch these pathetic and unnecessary anti trans bills from their agendas. I hope one day we can fully embrace Transgender Day of Visibility as a day of celebration and accomplishment.
Meredith Branagan
Newburyport resident
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