Visibility is good - equality is better!

Berlin, March 31.03.2023, XNUMX. On the international day of trans*visibility we ask ourselves: what is this day about? What does creating visibility mean and what are the demands of trans* people[1]? On this day, the progress made by trans* and gender non-conforming people is recognized worldwide. At the same time, it is important to raise awareness of the fact that society still has a lot to do to achieve equal rights for trans* people - especially trans* people who are exposed to multiple discrimination.

As early as 2023 and in recent years, attacks on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people have continued to increase. In addition, trans* people are often exposed to enormous psychological stress. Harrowing statistics from a recent by the American Academy of Pediatrics published study show an alarming number of suicide attempts among trans* youth. The findings underscore the urgency of building welcoming and safe communities for LGBTQIA+ youth, particularly transgender youth.

Be it when looking for a job, at work, when looking for an apartment, in the healthcare sector, or in schools and universities: trans* people are confronted with discrimination every day. Everywhere, everyday, worldwide. Just this month Uganda passed a law providing for the death penalty for queer people. But we don't have to look outside of Germany: in September 2021, Ella N., a trans* person, took her own life on Alexanderplatz in Berlin. Ella had fled from Iran to Germany via Turkey and was exposed to multiple forms of discrimination from society and the authorities. Here, the relevance of an intersectional perspective on the discrimination of trans* people becomes painfully clear.

The realities of life and everyday experiences of discrimination of trans* people are still ignored and their rights trampled underfoot. dr Soraya Moket, project manager of the anti-racism project women rais.ed and deputy managing director of DaMigra eV says: "On today's day of trans* visibility and every day, we speak out against any form of discrimination against people - be it on the basis of social and ethnic origin, gender, skin color, sexual identity, disability, age or worldview. This is what the European and international human rights conventions say and that is why the life of every trans* person must be protected, made visible and given the same rights as everyone.”

On this day of trans*visibility, it is very clear to us: Intersectionality, feminism and solidarity in the light of universal human rights means always standing on the side of those who are most vulnerable and who experience the most oppression.

More visibility, respect and equality for trans* people means specifically:

• use one gender inclusive language and avoid statements based on stereotypes about trans* people.
• Be a Ally: use the name that a trans* person uses for themselves and the desired pronouns. When in doubt, ask politely: If the question is respectful and not out of undue curiosity, trans* people are usually happy about the interest.    
• For example, there are different opinions about upper and lower case letters. Many of those affected reject the phrase "trans man" and "trans woman" because they feel reduced to this personality trait and therefore prefer to use the adjective. For other trans people, capitalization is a sign of emancipation and a political statement.
• Multiply the votes of trans* people. Example: follow different trans* people on social media and share their content. In particular, deal with trans* people who have been discriminated against multiple times.
• educate yourself independently and continuously further, stand up for the rights and against discrimination of trans* people. Here again, as a golden rule: if something is unclear to you, do your own research or ask, but don't get anyone into trouble. Making the rights of trans* people (more) visible means that not all trans* people have to come out, tell their stories and disclose information. It is important to emphasize that it is not about making each individual trans* person visible, but about visibility as a group.

In this sense: Visibility is good, equality is better!      

At this point we recommend the publications of the LSVD Federal Association:

https://www.lsvd.de/de/ct/2628-Erfahrungen-von-trans-Menschen-in-Deutschland

https://www.lsvd.de/de/politik/lebensrealitaeten/selbstbestimmt-trans-und-intergeschlechtlich

DaMigra eV represents the interests of women migrant organizations and their concerns and advocates equal opportunities, equal participation and the equality of women with a history of migration and refugee experience in Germany. DaMigra follows the approach of anti-racist feminism.

[1] "Trans*" is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity and their birth-assigned gender do not match.