March 31. Gee, that's tomorrow. And every year since 2010 it has been International Transgender Day of Visibility.

TDOV aims to bring attention to the collective accomplishments of trans people around the globe and to the need for trans liberation. We are here to fight transphobia and cissexism by empowering the trans community worldwide!

This year's theme is trans resistance (#TransResistance). In the increasingly transphobic global political climate, we must use our newfound visibility to mobilize trans people against oppression. Speaking out, taking direct action, and educating others is critical to our safety and wellbeing. This recognizes that while visibility is important, we must take action against transphobia. Visibility is not enough alone to bring transgender liberation. However, we can use visibility as a vital tool for transgender justice.

Many transgender people avoid coming out like the plague, because once anyone knows one of us has transitioned, they forever see us as our former selves and figure the whole world needs to see us the same way. Actual appearance and behavior holds little to no sway in that assessment of who we must be. And that can wreak havoc on a person's lovelife.

Personally, I transitioned in the public eye as a college professor in Arkansas, so I never had to worry about who knew and who did not. I just assumed everyone knew...and I was pretty much right about that. When I began transition, it was covered in the local newspapers, as well as drive time radio, and spread rapidly to all the states surrounding Arkansas...as well as the gay press as far away as Los Angeles, I have been told.

Since everyone knew and I was a teacher, I chose my path to continue to educate, to speak out and to write about the issues we face. That path has led me to here.

One story at a time. 1963 diaries since September 14, 2005. 579 followers.

I invite anyone else with a story to tell to share it.