Today on International Trans Day of Visibility I celebrate all my trans siblings and the unique ways we each get to exist, even in a world that sometimes does not want us to. Personally, I celebrate my own journey of transness. The first step for me was becoming visible to myself, recognising and celebrating my own identity and the difficult journey that I have already made, and the one I have waiting in my future.
To every one of us, being trans has a different meaning, a different impact, and a different way in which we can and want to be visible in this identity.
Those who know me know that being trans is a huge formative part of my identity, I am immensely proud of this even though for some it’s just a small part of who they are. The amazing thing I love about trans people is our uniqueness and community. Without other trans people in my life being visible and proud in their identity, I would have never gotten to where I am today.
Today, more so than usual, I feel the solidarity in our community and our collective support of each other at all times. It is undeniably hard to exist as a trans person in this world at this time, many trans people around the world suffer under laws that criminalize their expression and existence. And while life can be hard and scary, every day I feel strength and inspiration from the community and through my sheer existence as a trans woman in defiance of everyone who does not want me to exist.
I am enough. You are enough. You don’t need to be more, being you, every day of every week of every month of every year of your life. Being you is enough, and being you is amazing.
