According to a study by UCLA’s Williams Institute, trans people are four times more likely than cisgender people to experience violent victimization. Trans people are also disproportionately affected by HIV. Indeed, another study found that 14% of trans women and 3% of trans men are HIV positive, compared with an overall prevalence rate in the United States of 1.1%. Reasons for such disparities include transphobia, stigmatization and a general lack of access to health care. Clearly, change is needed.

But a new reality won’t come easy. In fact, the rights of trans people—especially the right of young trans people to access gender-affirming health care, such as hormone therapy—are increasingly under attack by Republican-led legislatures throughout the country. Increased visibility could help usher in some change. According to research from the Morning Consult and The Trevor Project, less than 30% of Americans say they know a trans or nonbinary person.

March 31 marked the international Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV). Trans people observed the day by voicing their opposition to the many hateful bills seeking to codify anti-trans discrimination and by proudly being themselves. Cisgender allies, meanwhile, used their power, platforms and privilege to sign laws, show love and educate themselves and others. 

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POZ June 2023 Spotlight Representative Barbara Lee

On TDOV, Representative Barbara Lee of California, a founding member of the LGBTQ Equality Caucus, posed with the trans pride flag and tweeted: “To the trans community: I see you and will fight for you today & every day #TDOV.”@RepBarbaraLee/Twitter