Statement on Trans Day of Visibility 2024
Every year, on March 31, we commemorate Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV). Founded in 2009 by Rachel Crandall, today we honor Two Spirit, Trans, and gender diverse people and celebrate Trans joy and resilience. Today is also a call to protect our collective future and for allies and accomplices to commit to action against transphobia.
Pride Centres, Gender and Sexuality Resources Centres, and Gender Equity and Women’s Centres as well as student clubs and groups across the country play an essential role in combating the rise of transphobic rhetoric, policies, and hate – on and off our campuses. Take for example, UR Pride at Local 9, who is actively fighting the Government of Saskatchewan over a policy that would force Trans and gender diverse kids to be outed or be put back in the closet. This is one of several governments pushing regressive, transphobic policies. UR Pride’s recent win, with a court ruling the legal case can continue, shows that we can win when we’re united.
We call on the federal government, provincial and territorial governments, and policy makers to stand up for Trans people – Trans youth in particular. This means supporting affirming policies in education, being willing to take a real stand against transphobia in law and in rhetoric, as well as implementing gender-affirming health care. It also means addressing the affordability crisis students and communities are facing, and the fact that 2SLGBTQIA+ people are overrepresented in those who are unhoused.
In 2023, the Canadian Federation of Students joined Queer Momentum as a partner in their #Act4QueerSafety campaign along with students’ unions, labour, organisations, and grassroots groups. We continue to join in those calls to action as well as calling on the federal government to implement the White Paper on the Status of Trans and Gender Diverse People.
We are also united in calling on our school administrations to create affirming policies and support Trans students. This means change and gender recognition policies, developed with Trans students, and ensuring there are all-gender washrooms and change rooms available. It also means creating Trans inclusion in campus sports teams and intramurals, and supporting student-led resource centres.
This Trans Day of Visibility, we are loud, proud, and united against transphobia and for Trans students, Trans youth, and Trans futures.
In solidarity,
Brandon Rhéal Amyot (they/them)
Two Spirit and Trans Constituency Commissioner
Canadian Federation of Students
Take Action and Learn More
- Take Action with Queer Momentum
- Donate to the UR Pride Centre
- Keep Updated on the UR Pride Centre’s Fight
- Support the Action Against Alberta’s Anti-Trans Policies
- Sign the Petition Against New Brunswick’s Policy 713
- Donate to the Challenge Against Policy 713
- The New Brunwick Child and Youth Advocate on Policy 713
- White Paper on the Status of Trans and Gender Diverse People
- Learn About the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Canada
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