![Marizol + Selenis [3] Photo credit_ Landyn Pan](https://media.glaad.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/20063640/Marizol-Selenis-3-Photo-credit_-Landyn-Pan-56d-1024x819.jpg "Marizol + Selenis [3] Photo credit_ Landyn Pan | GLAAD")
Each year on March 31st, the world observes TDOV to raise awareness about transgender people. It is a day to celebrate the lives and contributions of trans people, while also drawing attention to the poverty, discrimination, and violence the community faces.
Today marks the 10th Annual International TDOV which was created by trans advocate Rachel Crandall. Crandall, the head of Transgender Michigan, created TDOV in response to the overwhelming majority of stories about transgender people in the media being focused on violence. She hoped to create a day where people could re-focus on celebrating the lives of transgender people, empowering them to live authentically, while still acknowledging that due to discrimination, not every trans person can or wants to be visible.
During Transgender Week of Awareness in November 2019, GLAAD announced the rollout of its #TransLoveStories campaign to highlight stories from within the trans community that often go unrecognized, to show that these stories of love do exist as models of what’s possible, to center how trans people experience relationships, and to show allies how they can support people in the community.
As the world confronts COVID-19, GLAAD and Instagram are harnessing the power of creating online communities of support and emphasizing storytelling to drive interpersonal connection, virtual dialogue, and cultural change.
Creator of the campaign, GLAAD’s Associate Director of Transgender Representation, Alex Schmider (@anderfinn) said:
“Especially during this unprecedented time, we know that it’s critical for people to find support and connection through online communities and digital storytelling. Through #translovestories we want to show that trans people are capable and deserving of finding and sharing love–for ourselves and with others. It’s also an opportunity for the partners, friends, and family who love us to show that we are an important and valuable part of their lives. Because of the discrimination trans people face, not everyone can be visible today, but we believe campaigns like this are part of creating a world where every trans person can be accepted, loved, and celebrated for who they are.”
In the weeks following TDOV, GLAAD and Instagram will roll out IGTV videos and portraits from NYC-based photogragher Landyn Pan (@landynpan) of trans people with significant others in their lives to showcase the diversity of love stories. Content creators include:
- Co-author of new book My Sister: How One’s Sibling’s Transition Changed Us Both Marizol Leyva (@iam_marizol) with her sister Selenis (@selenisleyvaofficial) actress known for her work on Netflix’s Orange Is The New Black
- Model Chala Tyson Tshitundu (@chala.gram) and their partner Noah
- Business owner Marli Washington (@2b.marli) and his wife Adriana
- Content creator AJ Clementine (@ajclementine_) and her boyfriend Ryan
There are so many stories out there to be seen, heard, and known. To participate and show support for the trans community, please share on social media using #TransLoveStories. While people may need to keep themselves physically distant to maintain community safety and health during these times, it’s all the more important to seek connection and show support using the platforms and storytelling abilities people have access.
Check out the sizzle reel for the IGTV series on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Zg38ug8Yr/