The City of Lacey last week declared March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility, encouraging all community members to celebrate and respect the lives and voices of their transgender, gender non-conforming and nonbinary neighbors.
Founded by U.S.-based transgender advocate Rachel Crandall in 2009, Transgender Day of Visibility aims to acknowledge and honor the successes achieved by people who identify as transgender, while raising awareness of the work that still needs to be done to save lives within the transgender community.
“I really want to thank you for declaring March 31st Transgender Day of Visibility because right now, visibility is our best weapon and our best defense,” said Lucas Miller of PFLAG Olympia, the local chapter of a national organization that provides support, education and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.
Miller cited a rise of anti-transgender laws in Republican controlled states, noting that many transgender individuals are fleeing red states for Washington state, which has strong anti-discrimination laws.
Two initiatives targeting transgender youth are set to go before Washington state voters in November — one banning transgender girls from participating in school sports and a “parental bill of rights” that LGBTQ+ advocates say repeals protections for transgender students.
“This is a move against the entire community and it will not stop there, so once again it is very important that elected officials such as yourselves stand up and speak up for a community that is very much under attack right now,” Miller said.
The City of Lacey’s proclamation, read aloud by members of the Lacey City Council during its regular meeting on March 17, declares that “On this day and every day, the City of Lacey stands with our transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary community members for dignity and equal rights and to provide inclusive and healing spaces.”
The city also renewed its commitment “to fostering a community where all people are safe, respected, fully accepted, and free to live authentically without fear of harassment or discrimination.”
The city encourages community members to continue working toward eliminating all forms of violence and discrimination.
