Transgender Day of Visibility 2022

Written By Adam Barlow-Thompson

When I (Rev. Maddie Johnson - she/her) first joined the Neighboring Movement and began immersing myself in the work of asset-based community development (ABCD), one of the critiques that kept coming up was that this work ignores systemic injustice. I struggled with this claim as a clergy person, because I have seen the harm caused by institutions, including churches, who are silent on justice issues facing the community. It wasn’t until I attended a training with the ABCD Institute that I heard so clearly: this work is NOT value-neutral. Two key values of ABCD are that all people are gifted and all people are included in this work. 

In order for our work to be grounded in ABCD, it has to include these two values. If we don’t assume people are gifted, there is a good chance only certain people are invited to decision-making spaces. And if we don’t include everyone, then we are not experiencing the full giftedness of the community. To be a good neighbor is to include the gifts of ALL people. No exceptions.

Unfortunately, institutions and systems often exclude certain people’s giftedness through unjust laws based on race, socioeconomic status, nationality, language, immigration status, gender, age, disability, sexuality, and gender identity. Currently, we are seeing our decision-making bodies approve transphobic legislation across the country. Discriminatory policies surrounding inclusive health care, sports access, and education have passed in states such as Texas, Alabama, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, South Carolina, and even our nonprofit’s home state of Kansas. These policies not only ignore the unique giftedness of trans folks, but they cause immense harm, especially to trans folks with multiple oppressed identities.

Within the Neighboring Movement community, we have folks who exist across the spectrum of gender identity. This Trans Day of Visibility, we want to say that not only are Trans folks present and thriving in this community, but in yours too. We aim to make an inclusive space for any and all people, but especially for our Trans friends. 

One of our Animators, Matthew Neumann (he/him), who is the Executive Director of the LGBTQ Foundation of Kansas shares that, “Transgender Day of Visibility is a day we celebrate those that said ‘we are more than the bodies we are born with’. We are people who have looked into ourselves and said the inside looks different than the out. We are special. We are here. We are brave. We are important. We stand visible so others may look upon us and see who they themselves can be. Not everyone can be visible. Those who can stand in the light stand there so there is room for those that cannot. We must watch out for each other and protect each other. Especially our children. The suicide rates are high. Standing proud today helps the younger people see that it is possible to stand proud tomorrow.”

Being a good neighbor means living into these values of including the giftedness of everyone. When local, state, and federal policies inhibit these values, being a good neighbor requires action and solidarity. 

One of our GNE Facilitators, Rev. Andi Voinovich (they/them), shares some ways that we can be good neighbors to the trans community:

“On a local and personal level, you can be a good neighbor by honoring people’s names and pronouns. You can add your own pronouns to your emails, business cards, Zoom account, etc. You can use gender-inclusive language when speaking with groups, donate to and volunteer for organizations that support transgender people, and encourage your library to stock media with trans representation (and also check out that media!). You can and should pay attention to local and national legislation that impacts transgender people and then reach out to your representatives and let them know your desire for an inclusive community.

In an effort to listen to this advice, here are some action items you can take during this Transgender Week of Visibility:

  • Follow Trans Week for state-specific action items and events at https://www.glaad.org/transweek 

  • If you are from our non-profit’s home state of Kansas, you can:

    • Demand Governor Kelly Veto Senate Bill 484 (this bill bans trans women and girls from participating in sports).

    • Support and donate to nonprofits like @kctransformations, @ourspotKC, and https://lgbtqks.org/

  • If you are an LGBTQ+ person from Kansas, you can:

Adam Barlow-Thompson
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