On this International Transgender Day of Visibility, many trans people feel a mixture of conflicting and uplifting emotions. As a trans person myself, I feel so proud of my existence and happy that I can feel safe using my chosen name and pronouns that I feel represent me. I am grateful for all the trans people who have fought for my right to exist and to live freely as I am. But still, honestly, I am scared for the future, and disappointed in my government for the anti-trans laws, claiming I am brainwashed and not ‘real’. This mixture of emotions wrestles in my heart on March 31st, 2025.
The International Transgender Day of Visibility, or TDOV, was established in 2010 to celebrate the existence and accomplishments, as well as raise awareness, of transgender individuals. Unfortunately, many transgender people don’t feel safe enough in their respective countries to come out as trans. They are forced to continue living as their assigned gender for their safety and survival. This TDOV, it’s important that we be considerate of them as well. Several recent protests aiming to bring awareness to the ongoing struggles of the transgender community have taken place across the country, including Pennsylvania, Chicago, New York, California, Oregon, Utah, Washington, DC, and even Texas. People everywhere, of every gender identity, are standing together to show their support.
One of the most important parts of TDOV is celebrating trans experiences through art. Many trans people are inspired by their transition, using the struggles they faced as fuel to create art about their experiences, including myself. Below are some poems and short writing pieces I have written about my experience as a trans person. Please note that my experiences are not necessarily reflective of the community’s experiences as a whole.
Euphoria
his hair smells like sea salt and the sun orbits him;
he is the center of the universe.
his eyes shine with the deep sea and his skin is warm to the touch;
he has his moments.
the world was made for him to explore and he will become the world;
he is but a human.
he stands against the waves and lifts his face to the sun;
a challenger.
he is the center of the universe and his hair smells like sea salt.
but what is human?
Jacob’s Name
My owner has a lot of names
When the woman I call Grandma comes over, he’s her Baby or Sweetie or Addie
I see him wince with the last one and I lower my tail in sympathy
I was called the wrong name too
He’s Jacob now
I’m August now
I was a lot of things before
Not Baby or Sweetie or Addie
but Buddy and Scottie and even Dogga by a young girl
I’m August now
And that’s a much better name for me than Dogga
And Jacob is my owner
And Grandma calls him Addie
but she still calls me August
and she doesn’t see the pain in his eyes
the pain that matches mine
when I am called Buddy and Scottie and Dogga
She can use my name when it was something else before
He has had me for a while now
She knew I was called Dogga and am now August
The principle does not apply when it comes to Jacob’s name
She’ll Always Run
She’ll always run;
For her hands are bound and her
Claws are cut and she
Would rather abandon her
Self
Then live a lie
At least I have nothing,
she sulks
among ghosts, she trails behind
A starless sailor
A misguided light
Where are you? She begs, she pleads
Her answers don’t come from the stars
Anymore