Proclaim March 31, 2022 to be Transgender Day of Visibility
Whereas, Transgender, Transmasculine, Transfeminine, Non-binary, Genderqueer, Genderfluid, Two-spirit, Agender, and gender non-conforming people have always existed and made important contributions to their communities; and
Whereas, Transphobic cultures, including that of the United States, continue to suppress the existence and contributions of transgender and gender non-conforming people; and
Whereas, Transphobia requires disparities negatively affecting transgender and gender non- conforming people in health, housing, employment, and all major aspects of life; and
Whereas, white supremacy, ableism, anti-Blackness, misogyny and Transphobia are interconnected and depend on the continued violence against Black, Indigenous, and other people of color who are transgender or gender non[1]conforming, particularly Black transgender women; and
Whereas, houselessness- and housing-services providers consistently fail to provide safe, welcoming, and knowledgeable support for Transgender and gender non-conforming people experiencing houselessness; and
Whereas, among cities in the United States, Portland is home to the second-largest percentage of LGBTQ+ people per capita,including transgender and gender non- conforming people; and
Whereas, the City of Portland strives to make our community safe and empowering for its Transgender and gender non[1]conforming residents; and
Whereas, the City has not yet succeeded in this endeavor; and
Whereas, visibility for Transgender people is complex and nuanced and should not be a precondition for justice; and
Whereas, Transgender Day of Visibility is an opportunity for the Portland City Commission and the city as a whole to recommit to partnering with the community to address our challenges and investing in City infrastructure that furthers this work.
Now, therefore, I, Ted Wheeler, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses,” do hereby proclaim March 31, 2022 to be
Transgender Day of Visibility
In Portland and encourage all residents to observe this day