Just Read: Real Visibility Is Transgender People Living Openly And Authentically and, I am a person who talks about transgender people who would be much happier if there were more transgender people to talk about

2017.05.25 National Center for Transgender Equality Gala, Washington, DC USA 5454
Much happier. 2017.05.25 National Center for Transgender Equality Gala, Washington, DC USA 5454 (View on Flickr.com)

Today is Transgender Day of Visibility (#TDOV2018):

The International TDoV is an annual holiday celebrated around the world. The day is dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments and victories of transgender & gender non-conforming people while raising awareness of the work that is still needed to save trans lives. The holiday was founded in 2009 as a reaction to the lack of LGBT holidays celebrating transgender people’s successes. tdov.org

The long title of this post refers to a blockquote in the excellent piece by @BrynnTannehill, in the Huffington Post. Her statement in the piece is right, and whenever I need clarity on what’s right, Brynn is a person I definitely turn to. In general, I turn to someone who has lived experience, because I will never know what it’s like to be transgender & I counsel my cisgender colleagues to understand this as well.

I just reviewed her bio and didn’t realize that she’s also from my hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, along with Clive Jones and Monica Helms. Leadership must be in the flouridated water… I did know that she’s a former Navy Pilot who has served this country with honor.

I am delighted, in 2018, to live in the place (Washington, DC) with the highest percentage of people who are transgender in the United States, in this, the 4th anniversary of the most protective legislation of transgender people seeking medically necessary care to live as their authentic selves. I knew the result of the legislation would be meeting more transgender people living as their authentic selves.

What I didn’t know about was all of the incredible people who also know (and are much happier as a result) transgender people, as their children, partners, neighbors, nurses, doctors, therapists, community leaders who I meet on a regular basis.

Like literally every day.

43% of Americans know a person who is transgender

According to an Ipsos poll done this year (@Ipsos):

  • 43% of Americans know a person who is transgender
  • The average of all countries studied is 30%
  • 55% of Mexicans know a person who is transgender

Time is on our side.

The Health Professions are Much Happier if there are More Transgender People

Fortunately, also in 2018, the combined medical, nursing, and allied health professionals also talk about transgender people and are much happier if there are more transgender people as well, because we know, diversity allows the human species to survive, in a much happier, innovative way 🙂 .

Happy Transgender Day of Visibility. All that’s left is an emoji symbol….

https://www.tedeytan.com/2018/03/12/22476/embed/

NCTE 12th Anniversary Gala 55207
NCTE 12th Anniversary Gala 55207 (View on Flickr.com)

We must tell our own stories, or social conservatives will.

Source: Real Visibility Is Transgender People Living Openly And Authentically | HuffPost

Ted Eytan, MD