We call upon the City Council of Malden, MA to acknowledge and officially declare March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility. 

Founded by Rachel Crandall-Crocker, Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) is the international day of recognition for transgender, gender-diverse, gender-expansive, intersex, nonbinary, and two-spirit people (TGI/ENBY/2S+). Since 2009, this day has celebrated the lives and accomplishments of our community, raised awareness about the discrimination we often face, and promoted education about our identities, needs, and lived realities. TDOV invites everyone, regardless of identity, to connect with others in our community in recognition of our shared humanity. It reminds us to celebrate trans joy and gives us fuel to fight for a more just world. This celebration and recognition is especially needed in the present moment.

To that end, we the undersigned, offer our support to all members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, especially our TGI/ENBY/2S+ siblings. We call upon the City Council of Malden, MA to officially acknowledge and declare March 31 at Transgender Day of Visibility in Malden, MA. We ask that the City Council adopt the following measure, in collaboration with Councilor-at-Large Carey McDonald:

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Resolved: That is the sense of the Malden City Council that Malden celebrates international Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31.

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Malden is home to many transgender, nonbinary, intersex, and gender nonconforming people of all ages. As members of the LGBTQIA+ community, transgender Maldonians contribute to the life and vitality of our community as residents, business owners, students, teachers, volunteers, religious leaders, public servants, and more.

We affirm our city as a welcoming community that embraces people across the spectrum of gender identity and expression. At a time when transgender Americans are under direct threat, and when some seek to entirely erase their existence, visibility is more important than ever. It reminds us all that transgender people have been, and will continue to be, valued members of our Malden community.

We take this opportunity to honor that visibility, and to condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms. Our city will uphold the civil rights which protect transgender people from discrimination under Massachusetts Law and Title VII of the Federal 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Transgender Day of Visibility recognizes the presence and contributions of transgender Maldonians, even those who do not feel safe enough to be publicly visible. In recognition, we reaffirm our commitment to do everything we can to ensure transgender members of our community are safe and able to live freely as their authentic selves.