by Elise
The theme for the 2025 International Transgender Day of Visibility, March 31, was to highlight Trans people who continue to make history. As in past years, the day was observed with rallies, protests, educational events and art exhibits. It was founded by Rachel Crandall-Crocker in 2010 in response to the brutal murder of Trans woman Rita Hester and because Crandall-Crocker wanted Trans people to have a day of joy. Joy, even as the U.S. military attempts to erase Trans people from its ranks. The Day is not observed publicly in countries that discriminate, oppress and put Trans people to death. But it was observed in many nations, including Canada, the U.S. and UK. Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, said, “Trans people are here, have always been here, and they are not going anywhere” and, “To all Trans young people…you are never alone.”
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Photo: Hayley Tschetter, CC BY-SA 2.0
Free Mom Hugs is 10 years old. It was founded by LGBTQ+ supporter and mom of a Gay son, Sara Cunningham of Oklahoma. Years in denial about her son, she knows that many parents and families reject their LGBTQ+ children, some going so far as to throw them out on the streets. Free Mom Hugs attends Pride events; has speakers at many venues including corporations, schools, churches and sporting events; and provides resources. Of course, they give hugs, especially to Trans, nonbinary and genderqueer kids and adults. They have over 37,000 members in every state across the U.S. They also collaborate with many advocacy groups including the Human Rights Campaign, The Trevor Project and PFLAG on local and national initiatives.
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LGBTQ+ people are among those in Germany who live in fear after the conservative Christian Democratic Alliance (CDU-CSU) won recent elections. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AFD) came in second. New Chancellor Friedrich Merz agrees with Trump that there are only two genders and promised during his campaign to repeal the self-determination law. That law had made it easier to change one’s gender on official records. LGBTQ+ people who immigrated to Germany, especially refugees who fled persecution, are especially fearful of being deported to their oppressive, even deadly in some cases, countries because CDU-CSU promised a “fundamental” overhaul of asylum rules. Rates of hate acts against LGBTQ+ people in Germany were already on the rise before the national elections.
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Pride Day 2023 in London. Photo: Bex Wade, The Human Dignity Trust Facebook page
In April, Trinidad and Tobago’s Appeals Court reinstated the colonial-era “buggery law” that prohibited anal sex, and which the High Court of Justice in 2018 had declared unconstitutional and, therefore, legalized same-sex relations. The Appeals Court relied on the “savings clause,” which holds that British colonial laws remain valid even when they conflict with the current national Constitution. So, only Parliament can invalidate colonial laws. LGBTQ+ groups, individuals and allies vow to keep on fighting. Equality for All Foundation and Human Dignity Trust are encouraging Queer people to participate politically by using their voice and to collaborate with other minority communities. It is encouraging that Equality for All’s 2023 survey found that 50% of Trinidad and Tobago people didn’t approve of LGBTQ+ equality, down from 69% in 2018, and that there are civil service policies still in place that ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. Tea Braun, Chief Executive of Human Dignity Trust, will appeal the Appeals Court’s ruling before the UK’s privy court, Trinidad and Tobago’s final appeals court.