Trans Day Of Visibility: We Give Thanks To Our Trans Sisters And Brothers
It hasn’t been an easy time of late for those who identify as the T in the LGBTQIA+ community. Some might say it’s never been easy.
It’d be ignorant to overlook the threats coming for the trans community all over the world, especially in countries like US, UK, Brazil and Australia. Those threats are covered by DNA regularly.
But the T part of our rainbow community offers the world so much joy, talent, resistance, support and diversity.
We get so used to reading stories of violence, discrimination and exclusion, it can be easy to overlook the sometimes under-reported good news stories. So here are a few.
Kim Petras Wins A Grammy
Despite having a throat too sore to sing, at Sydney’s WorldPride in March, Kim Petras announced how proud she was to have won a Grammy at this year’s awards. The 30-year-old became the second trans woman to win a Grammy for her duet with Sam Smith on Unholy (Best Pop Duo/Group Performance).
Madonna Still Has Your Back
Madonna was down in the trenches supporting the LGBTQIA+ community long before it was popular. Recently she’s focused her longstanding ally-ship squarely on the trans community.
Introducing Sam Smith, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, and Kim Petras at the Grammies, Madonna said:
“Here’s what I’ve learnt after four decades in music. If they call you scandalous, shocking, troublesome, problematic, provocative or dangerous, you are definitely onto something.”
More recently, she deliberately added Tennessee to her greatest hits world tour in protest at its recent slew of anti-LGBTQIA+ laws, writing on Instagram:
“The oppression of the LGBTQ+ is not only unacceptable and inhumane; it’s creating an unsafe environment; making America a dangerous place for our most vulnerable citizens, especially trans women of color.”
“Bob [The Drag Queen] and I will see you from the stage in Nashville where we will celebrate the beauty that is the Queer community!”
Georgie Stone: Trans Trailblazer
She successfully campaigned to change the law in Australia to make it easier for trans people like her to access treatment. Then she became the first ever trans character on Aussie soap Neighbours, helping with scripts and accurate depictions.
Now she has her own Netflix special: The DreamLife Of Georgie Stone. This is what a national treasure looks like.
Posie Parker’s Anti-Trans Tour Down Under Was A Flop
The neo-Nazi presence at her Melbourne rally saw it condemned by all sides of politics and across all media platforms. Just 30 supporters showed up for her in Canberra. Only 10 in Hobart. Cancelled in New Zealand after she was drowned out by supporters of the trans community.
The message from these attempted hateful rallies was simple, and it’s one our community is used to saying by now: love wins.
