March 31, 2025 marks the Trans Day of Visibility. Unifor Local 5555 made a $500 donation to the Hamilton Trans Health Coalition in recognition of this important day.
Our Local PRIDE Committee Co-Chairs have shared their reflections on this day in the following statements:
Ryan (they/them)
This is my first trans day of Visibility, and I recognize that I have not endured the same pain, the same struggles that other trans people have. What this day means to me is to receive the same elation and validation that I feel when friends and family see me for who I am, unapologetically and authentically. And that perhaps there is a future where that doesn’t just have to be one day. That’s every day – that it happens so much I take it for granted. But for now, I relish every moment I can be seen, and celebrated and appreciated for exactly the person I am.
Ollie (they/them)
Over the last year, the shift around trans people’s safety is palpable. Being trans can be said to be inherently political because we undermined the colonial binary structure of sex and gender.
Recently, however, our identities, communities, and healthcare are being politicized. Our children are being targeted, their healthcare, sports, and autonomy being stripped away. When society targets a community’s’ children, they are sending the message that they don’t want that community to continue. Canada is acutely aware of this tactic.
Transgender Day of Visibility (TOV) was a day created by Rachel Crandall as a way to celebrate trans people and to acknowledge that many trans people do not want to be or are unable to be visible. Crandall noted that the vast majority of media coverage on trans people focused on violence and wanted to push for a future where we could be properly acknowledged as the amazing people and communities that we are.
This year, I urge you to check in with your trans friends, and families. Give an ear to listen, give them a snack, and find spaces to educate yourself.
For this federal election, please ask your politicians what their stance is on gender-affirming care and on the rights of trans children, as well as how will they protect trans people in this current climate. All children deserve access to healthcare, to feel safe at school, and to play sports. Although trans people are the target right now, but we are a small group, we are the canary in the coal mine, the attack on bodily autonomy will continue to progress. Please fight for us to stay visible, for our children to have a future, and to protect all our rights to bodily autonomy.
Here at the Unifor 5555 Pride committee, our email (pride@unifor5555.ca ) is always open to questions on how to better support a trans person in your life, how to find good education on various trans-related policy topics like healthcare or school, or if you yourself need another trans person to talk to. Additionally, the McMaster Trans Advocacy Group (MTAG) is also a space for trans, nonbinary, 2-Spirit, gender-diverse staff, students, and faculty and allies to curate community and push for change. Email MTAG at Mtag@mcmaster.ca.
Please also consider donating to the Hamilton Trans Health Coalition this TDOV.
Take Aways:
- Check in on your trans friends and family. Buy them a coffee/snack;
- Ask your representatives how they will protect trans people this election;
- Donate to the Hamilton Trans Health Coalition!
Please fight for us to stay visible, for our children to have a future, and to protect all our right to bodily autonomy!