Proclaim March 31, 2024 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 creates 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 people of color who are transgender or gender non-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, transgender and gender non-conforming youth are increasingly targeted by anti-LGBTQIA2S+ legislation and policies; and
Whereas, transgender and gender non-conforming youth deserve to participate in sports, to thrive in schools, to see themselves represented on the shelves in libraries, and to be recognized, respected, and affirmed; and
Whereas, among cities in the United States, Portland is home to the second-largest percentage of LGBTQIA2S+ 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-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 Council and the city as a whole to recommit to building partnerships with Transgender and gender non-conforming communities to address challenges and invest in City infrastructure that furthers this work of lifting the voices and needs of this community.
Now, therefore, I, Ted Wheeler, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses,” do hereby proclaim March 31, 2024, to be
Transgender Day of Visibility
In Portland and encourage all residents to observe this day.