We Are Everywhere!

Is that good or bad? Are we generating backlash like what happened down in Hillsboro High School in Jefferson County Missouri?

We can't let increased transgender visibility lead to more vulnerabilityTrans women are now more likely to be positively represented in the media. This visibility should help push for greater respect and freedom from violenceThe Guardian
By Harmony Rodriguez
21 August 2015

It’s an unprecedented time in society. Trans women are appearing in the media as Hollywood actresses, writers, innovators and advocates. Increased positive representation of trans people is one of the greatest things that could have happened to trans women as a group. But, in this moment of celebration, we need to ensure that more visibility doesn’t lead to more vulnerability.
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This hypervisibility puts marginalized groups at risk. In terms of transgender people, this often means transgender women of color. With the conversation around equality for trans people reaching its fever pitch, those who do not want us to become equal and have equal rights are becoming increasingly more violent towards us. This year alone, 18 trans women - many of them of color - have been killed, including Mya Hall who was shot near Baltimore after she took a wrong turn. This breaks last year’s record. It should be noted that a large majority of anti-LGBT hate crimes are directed at people of color.

She goes on to talk about trans people “passing” and how being able to integrate into society does mean that there will be no violence. I think that there is a danger of violence if they are found out to be trans because the perpetrator feels “deceived.”

The author goes on to end the article with,

There is no panacea for transphobia. Having famous trans women in the media is great, but it isn’t enough. We need to start reconsidering the value we place on gender in our lives, and in others’ lives. We need to start considering, as a society, that all people are worthy of respect and of life regardless of how we feel about gender, gender identity and gender expression.

And we as a trans community have to think about our safety, something that a lot of trans women never had to worry about before they transitioned.