Easter and TDOV on the same day.
Tomorrow (3/31/2024) Easter and Trans Day of Visibility are on the same day. Since you may not be familiar with TDOV, here’s a quick explanation. It’s an International day created in 2010. Here’s a quote from GLAAD’s page for TDOV:
“International TDOV was created in 2010 by trans advocate Rachel Crandall. Crandall, the head of Transgender Michigan, created TDOV in response to the overwhelming majority of media stories about transgender people being focused on violence. She hoped to create a day where people could celebrate the lives of transgender people, while still acknowledging that due to discrimination, not every trans person can or wants to be visible.” Learn more here: https://glaad.org/tdov/
So tomorrow the two days collide. What can we take from that? On Easter, Jesus rose and showed his disciples that he was alive! On Trans Day of Visibility, we let people know that, while we do die, we also live. We live full lives, in spite of how this cis supremacist world sees and treats us.
Jesus’ disciples were overjoyed and filled with hope when they saw him. Once they got over their fear and disbelief. (Luke 24:11) Sure, Thomas had doubts until he saw the wounds up close and personal. (John 20:26-28) And the disciples walking to Emmaus were deep in grief until Jesus walked with them and did an impromptu Bible study. (Luke 24:13-35)
Often, people are filled with grief and doubts about their own (or a loved one’s) trans/gender diverse identity. They might not believe they can ever live a normal, happy life. Seeing you, whether on TDOV or another day, may give them a glimpse of something beyond their tomb of fear and grief. Taking time to explain your path to wholeness can help them see their own life in a new way. Sometimes people live in fear because they can’t see a road to freedom.
Some people may “stick their fingers in your side”, asking truly personal and invasive questions. If you feel comfortable answering, that’s one thing. If you don’t, let them know it’s a private subject for you. Instead, pivot to a broader related topic. If they’re *sigh* asking about your genitals, see if they’re worried about what sex, dating, or having kids will be like if they transition. Do they want to know about surgeries? Back them up a bit. Talk about basic trans care, and what it looks like where you live. How to get a doctor, therapist, etc. Protecting your privacy and peace doesn’t have to end the conversation.
After Jesus returned, He told the disciples to be His witnesses “to the ends of the Earth”. (Acts 1:8) These days technology allows us to do that more fully than ever. Tomorrow, churches will broadcast their Easter services online. People who can’t physically go, for whatever reason, will be able to celebrate. There will be many Trans Day of Visibility events all over the world. A lot of them will also be shared online. Trans and gender diverse people who aren’t physically near an event, or emotionally ready to go to one, will still be able to take part. The sense of who and what makes community is growing and shrinking.
Tomorrow, celebrate both days with zeal for a new start and appreciation for all the ways we find paths to freedom. Be a witness, whether it’s to the end of your block, or the ends of the Earth. And have fun. 🙂
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