Transgender Visibility Day

Payton Benedict

March 30, 2023

Today is Transgender Visibility Day, the international day celebrating transgender individuals and raising awareness about the discrimination and injustices they still face. The Illinois Central College Minority Student Retention Team is hosting an event tonight from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event will be held in room 212 C in the academic building of the East Peoria campus of Illinois Central College (ICC).  The team is celebrating Transgender Visibility Day by holding a screening of the documentary, “The Future of Trans”. This will be followed by a discussion about the challenges and human rights violations that transgender individuals currently face in the United States.

With constant pressure on conformity for transgender individuals, as well as other members of the LBGTQ community, days like this commemorate and honor the current fight for equality. The day is also a celebration of non-binary people who continue to pursue acceptance and validation as well. Events like this are slowly but surely increasing the exposure of issues that transgender people and allies of the transgender community recognize on a daily basis.

ICC has proven to be an adamant supporter of inclusion and diversity. The ICC website includes a mission statement on diversity that is short and sweet.

“Inclusion. Equity. Broad-minded thinking. Global understanding.” states the website.

It goes on to talk about their goal being that with each degree earned, they hope to spread change across the country. With other neighboring states deciding to make life harder for transgender individuals, it is important that students attend events like this to show their support.