Student organizations shared resources and queer stories for International Transgender Day of Visibility on the first floor of Campus Center March 31.
The event had tables from organizations such as the Queer Student Center, Strong Women Strong Girls and Student Multicultural Affairs. Outside organizations such as Boston Alliance of LGBTQ+ Youth also had tables with resources for trans and genderqueer students. Each table gave advice on sexual health, allyship and gender-affirming care.
The International Transgender Day of Visibility was formed by Rachel Crandall Crocker in 2009. At the time, the only day that centered around transgender people was the Transgender Day of Remembrance to mourn murdered transgender people. Crocker wanted to create a day that honored living transgender people.
Since 2009, the annual event has gained a large amount of traction. Former President Joe Biden was the first United States president to make a formal proclamation recognizing the day in 2021. In 2024, the event caused controversy when it fell on the same day as Easter; President Donald Trump has since stated this was the reason behind the creation of an Executive Order titled “Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias.”
UMass Boston has celebrated Transgender Day of Visibility since 2022, when then-senior MG Xiong organized the first event on campus. Xiong later went on to win the 2022 JFK award upon graduating, and they now work for the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition as the Director of Engagement and Learning.
“The purpose of the event was to create a visible space for trans students on campus to be seen and recognized,” said Will Flejter, the creative assistant for the Queer Student Center. “Continuing to hold these events despite any and all adversity shows that UMass Boston is on the right side of history.”
The Campus Center event held three speakers: Flejter, Xiong and Karen Ferrer-Muñiz, the vice chancellor for student affairs. In their speech, Xiong expressed the importance of continued awareness at universities and other higher education institutions.
“I wanted to share my gratitude for the student leaders at UMass Boston who put the event on,” they said in an interview. “Our togetherness and connection to community is more important than ever to keep ourselves safe. It can mean a lot to people to know that at the very least the university knows they are here, they exist, and will continue to take up space in the community.”
In the wake of many anti-trans bills throughout the country, transgender activists and allies stress the importance of mutual aid and community support. Flejter recommended reaching out to local representatives and senators to submit testimony in support of transgender rights.
“Continually educating yourself on trans people and their stories and experiences is how we cultivate not only inclusion but belonging,” Xiong said.
