Trans Day of Visibility is a yearly event held on March 31st. It is an extremely important celebration of trans people, while we are still here. However, visibility isn’t possible for everyone, due to safety and other concerns. If you cannot be out, we see you and you are valid!
We wanted to collect some thoughts from local Pittsburghers in the trans community, to allow us to reflect on the Trans Day of Visibility. We have included small interviews below. Some submissions have been edited for clarity, but most are in their original form. We would also like to feature more trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming voices in future articles, so if you would like to be featured, contact us or comment below.
Coley Alston, 29, non-binary
Program Director, Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation
QueerPGH: Why is Trans Day of Visibility important to you?
Coley Alson: TDOV is important because we get to celebrate ourselves and see ourselves in a world that wants us to be invisible.
QueerPGH: What is your favorite part about being trans and part of the community?
Alson: My favorite part of the community are the elders (the ones I hope to be someday) and the Gen Z youth (the ones leading the way). Trans visibility saved my life. Learning the language that described my experiences and seeing others like me gave me the strength to keep trying.
QueerPGH: What resources would you recommend in Pittsburgh or nationally?
Alson: My favorite resources (all local to Pittsburgh) are true t pgh, TransYOUniting, TransPride Pittsburgh, and the Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation.
Brogan, non-binary
digital engagement designer for a plastic surgeon that performs gender affirming medical procedures
QueerPGH: Why is Trans Day of Visibility important to you?
Brogan: Trans Day of Visibility is important simply because transgender, nonbinary and gender expansive people do not receive equitable visibility, representation or access to the worlds most mainstream systems, institutions and structures and we have to work exponentially more with greater labor than folks who are cis gendered to access the same representation and visibility.
QueerPGH: What is your favorite part about being trans and part of the community?
Brogan: My favorite part about being a member of the trans community is that you really can not be someone of trans experience without community. Your community helps you find yourself, helps you see yourself and helps guide you to who you have always been.
QueerPGH: What resources would you recommend in Pittsburgh or nationally?
Brogan: I always recommend TransYouniting, The Trevor Project, Trans Lifeline, The Gender Confirmation Center and The National LGBTQIA Task Force as well as the National Center for Transgender Equality, oh and Trans Can Work as organizations that are resourceful.
Chloe June, she/her
Guitarist and vocalist for Scratchy Blanket
QueerPGH: Why is Trans Day of Visibility important to you?
Chloe June: Honestly, almost every trans friend I have is an artist in some way and most of them don’t just say “it’s trans day and I exist”, they (myself included) share their art or music with people on that day too. Trans Day of Visibility gives me and all trans folks a moment to say “look, we’re not just a Fox News headline or something, we’re real ass people with real ass lives doing these cool things.”
QueerPGH: What is your favorite part about being trans and part of the community?
June: I’m not sure I have a favorite part about being trans but I do know that I’m proud of myself for coming out. The world can be harsh and mean to trans people sometimes and it’s almost a constant battle to be treated like a normal person. This is what makes having support & community so important, y’know?
QueerPGH: What resources would you recommend in Pittsburgh or nationally?
June: SisTers PGH works hard and is a great resource!
Aaliyah Denise Johnson, 30, female
Hair stylist specializing in protective styling and extensions, M.C./commentator for the ballroom scene, and a dancer/entertainer
QueerPGH: Why is Trans Day of Visibility important to you?
Aaliya Denise Johnson: Trans Day of Visibility is important to me because a lot of people don’t understand how many of us that there are in different stages of life, from being passable to being non passable to even just going through the questioning phase. Also it’s great to be visible because some people may feel like they can’t transition or depressed because they feel like they don’t fit a certain type of aesthetic. So by all of us being visible is showing how diverse the community is. It gives other people a chance to then feel included as well.
QueerPGH: What is your favorite part about being trans and part of the community?
Johnson: I guess I really don’t have a favorite part about being trans. I guess if anything my favorite part is that I’m just actually finally being myself, living my truth, able to look and present how I feel to the world. It just gives me more confidence to showcase my artistic and performing talents without feeling the pressures of the stereotypical toxic black masculinity I was taught to adhere to.
QueerPGH: What resources would you recommend in Pittsburgh or nationally?
Johnson: In Pittsburgh, the resources that I would recommend would be the Persad Center because they have lots of different programming and different activities for people to come together and just get to know each other and feel a sense of community whether that is queer, lesbian, gay, or trans. I also recommend Project Silk for the youths as a safe space, a good place to network, build friends, get testing, and other things like that. I also recommend the Central Outreach and Wellness Center. Stacy Lane has been my doctor since I was 16 years old. She has been very supportive and she also is very knowledgeable and very inclusive when it come to GLBTQIA+ individuals. And they also have lots of other help. As far as funding for homelessness, helping with shelters, and also with food and medical, things like that. I also recommend CHS because a lot of trans people suffer from homelessness and CHS is a place that can help you get on your feet, find funding, and also find shelter so that way our people off the streets and live the life that they ultimately would like to live.
Max Ellie, 22, female
Student
QueerPGH: Why is Trans Day of Visibility important to you?
Max Ellie: I recently have come to terms that I am a trans woman myself. Before I was supportive but didn’t really know much about trans issues. This is the first year I have heard of “Trans Day of Visibility”. It is nice to know that there is a day out there solely to help trans people either talk to people or discuss their issues publicly or privately with others.
Being trans can bring lots of strain on yourself, on others, and personal relationships. It can be an exciting yet difficult and personal process. Negative and intrusive thoughts are more prevalent than ever. Sometimes I worry about how I am not trans enough or dysphoric enough or even if transitioning will even help me feel what I want to feel.
For today I want to be visible and want people to know what I have been feeling the last year of my life in regards to gender identity. It’s personal but I can’t do it on my own.
QueerPGH: What is your favorite part about being trans and part of the community?
Ellie: My favorite part of being trans is just the huge weight lifted off my shoulders I have felt my entire life. I never knew what was holding me down and making me sad and depressed. The not knowing was the hardest part. Being able to realize that I am trans helps me feel so free and that so much of that unknown sadness has gone away even though I haven’t been able to express myself how I want to yet.
The LGBTQIA+ communities, and especially trans communities, that I have recently been more involved in are full of helpful and nice people. They are so willing to help and listen to what’s going on with you. There are also many people who are in similar situations that I can talk to and help as well and being able to give some of my limited knowledge is a great feeling. I always love helping others and care about the people around me and the community. Being heard while going through a transition or any other part of your life can be life changing. I know it is for me.
QueerPGH: What resources would you recommend in Pittsburgh or nationally?
Ellie: The resources I have used so far include the Spectrum group. I went to the first available in person session but their online sessions and chat channels have been a huge help. Being able to have people available who are there to listen and help is amazing. Another I have used before is The Trevor Project, they are available 24/7 on phone or over text to LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults. Another new resource/dating app my partner shared with me is Lex. Even if dating isn’t what you are looking for I have found many nice and talkative people on there since I’ve been using it and I would recommend it to people who are looking for support or fun.
Emmy Radich, 40, woman
Ph.D. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame
Assistant Professor of Engineering, Penn State Greater Allegheny
QueerPGH: Why is Trans Day of Visibility important to you?
Emmy Radich: Trans Day of Visibility is a reminder of how important it was for me to see trans people doing very normal, everyday things. In fact, the visibility ushered in during the Obama administration allowed me to process and understand that trans people are everywhere and are just as diverse in what they do and like as cisgender people. Those who were visible before me showed me trans people are more than stereotypes and slurs and cis-slogans. They showed me trans people are librarians, firemen, professors, store clerks, business owners, scientists, doctors, teachers, gamers, musicians, skaters, preachers, and so on. Once I realized trans people are just regular people, I began to see reflections of myself in them. Their experiences. Their scars. Their struggles.
When I came out and transitioned several years back, I made sure I was positioned in such a way professionally to be able to be visible everyday so that I could advocate simply by being myself and doing a good job. I’m a STEM professor and impact a lot of people in positive ways everyday that I show up, work hard, earn respect, and at the same time advocate for trans people without ever needing to say the word ‘trans’. Being visible on campus and my day to day life is my way of giving back to the community. Whatever degree my visibility can buffer the transphobia that drives those responsible for murdering trans people, especially trans women of color, then that’s the absolute least I can do. I want to live in a world where all trans people can be visibly trans without fear. I’m using my privileges to contribute to that future.
QueerPGH: What is your favorite part about being trans and part of the community?
Radich: My favorite part of being trans is being a part of a community of people made up of those who commit to being themselves. Nothing more, nothing less. To me, transitioning was a process of discovery. Of reflection and reevaluation. A rejuvenation and rising from the ashes like the Phoenix.
QueerPGH: What resources would you recommend in Pittsburgh or nationally?
Radich: I have found Metro Community Health Center to be a significant resource in my transition. Their staff is courteous, doctors and CNPs knowledgeable and helpful, and the gatekeeping is relatively low, at least in my experience. Everyone I’ve met in Pittsburgh has been friendly, and I’m honestly pleased with my decision to relocate to this area in coincidence with my full social transition.
Jess Kay Keller, 24, non-binary femme, demigirl (Hi, it’s me, the author!)
Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemistry with Psychology, Chatham University
Poet, musician, visual artist, and trained volunteer listener
QueerPGH: Why is Trans Day of Visibility important to you?
Jess Kay Keller: For me, it lets me celebrate who I am and the people I love who are trans too. We deserve days filled with joy and to be celebrated for who we are.
QueerPGH: What is your favorite part about being trans and part of the community?
Keller: The trans people I know are honestly some of the strongest people I have ever met. We deal with so much adversity but still manage to be brave and be ourselves in a world that isn’t always made for us. These same people are also some of the sweetest people I know, and always want to help however they can. I feel so much love and support from my community and it is truly a blessing.
QueerPGH: What resources would you recommend in Pittsburgh or nationally?
Keller: I would recommend the Spectrum group at the Persad Center. Right now, it is being held online because of the shelter in place order and current pandemic. I would also recommend the Trevor Project (for queer youth age 24 and younger) or the Trans Lifeline. Both are great resources if you are in crisis or next to talk to someone.
Resources:
Trans Day of Visibility Website https://tdov.org/
The Trevor Project https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Trans Lifeline https://www.translifeline.org/
Human Rights Campaign TDOV https://www.hrc.org/resources/international-transgender-day-of-visibility
Spectrum Support Group Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/203315137404360/?ref=share
SisTers PGH https://www.sisterspgh.org/
TransYOUniting https://www.transyounitingpgh.org/
TransPride Pittsburgh http://transpridepgh.blogspot.com/
Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation https://hughlane.org/
Proud Haven https://www.proudhaven.org/
Central Outreach Wellness Center https://www.centraloutreach.com/
Persad Center https://persadcenter.org/
Metro Community Health https://metrocommunityhealthcenter.org/
true t pgh https://truetpgh.com/
Project Silk http://projectsilk.org/
Dreams of Hope https://www.dreamsofhope.org/
Guides for loved ones and allies from PFLAG https://pflag.org/ourtranslovedones https://pflag.org/publication/guidetobeingatransally
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