Transgender Day of Visibility Resources

Happy International Transgender Day of Visibility!

The event was first launched in 2009 to celebrate the trans community and raise awareness of the challenges and issues trans people face. 

This year the day takes place on 31st March. We want to acknowledge, celebrate and champion our trans friends and colleagues in ICMP’s community so here are some resources, initiatives and event details we wanted to share. 

What is the Transgender Day of Visibility?

On this important day, we celebrate the resilience, courage, and contributions of transgender and gender-diverse individuals worldwide. It is a day to recognise their journey, their triumphs, and the ongoing struggles they face in the pursuit of equality, acceptance, and respect.

Rachel Crandall founded this day in 2009 due to the frustration felt by many trans people at the time that their only commemorative was the Transgender Day of Remembrance.

This was launched in 1999 to honoured those murdered as a result of transphobia. 

The Transgender Day of Visibility was set up in response to this to bring celebration and empowerment to the trans community. 

ICMP's EDI Committee

At ICMP, we've long championed equal opportunities, respecting differences and creating a welcoming environment for all. We work hard every day to advocate for equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI), ensuring the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected.

This commitment to our values is upheld by ICMP’s EDI ecosystem and overseen by our EDI Committee.

Read the report 

Essential trans books to read

Here are some recommended books to check out. 

'Honoring Trans and Gender-Expansive Students in Music Education' | Matthew L Garrett and Joshua Palkki (2021) 

This book outlines why trans and gender-expansive (TGE) youth deserve a safe and empowering space to engage in high quality school music experiences and the ways in which teachers and educators can facilitate a safe and inclusive environment. 

It includes stories and lived experiences of TGE youth and their teachers alongside practical suggestions and research. 

'The Transgender Issue: An Argument for Justice' | Shon Faye (2021)

This work by journalist and activist Shon Faye uncovers what it means to be trans in today's society. It explores trans lives in relation to work, family, housing and healthcare alongside trans participation in the LGBTQIA+ and feminist communities. 

'Basta Now: Women, Trans and Non-Binary in Experimental Music' | Fanny Chiarello (2024) 

Newly written by artist and activist Fanny Chiarello, this book aims to shine a spotlight on underrepresented artists in what it describes as 'the global experimental sound and music scene'. 

Over almost 400 pages, Chiarello profiles 2,371 womxn artists, using a mix of prose and images. Although not definitive, it offers a wide-ranging overview of many creatives left out of traditional narratives surrounding experimental music. 

'The Singing Teacher's Guide to Transgender Voices' | Liz Jackson Hearns and Brian Kremer (2018) 

This guide is the first comprehensive resource developed for training transgender and non-binary singers.

As many of the current systems in place for singing education are anchored in gender binary systems, transgender and gender nonconforming singers often feel neglected or left out. This book instead challenges professional and academic communities to understand the needs of transgender singers. 

'Queer And Transgender Resilience Workbook : Skills For Navigating Sexual Orientation And Gender Expression' | Anneliese A Singh (2018) 

This workbook offers readers access to years of research accessible to queer and transgender adults. It asks readers to challenge internalised negative messages, handle stress, embrace who they are, remove obstacles from their life, and ultimately build a life that matters in a world still filled with micro-aggressions and discrimination. 

'Trans: A Memoir' | Juliet Jacques (2015)

Juliet Jacques is a freelance writer, best known for the Guardian's 'Transgender Journey' column, - the first time the gender reassignment process had been serialised for a major British publication.

This book was based on the column and combines a personal story of transition with critiques of many of the tropes associated with the portrayal of trans people in the media. 

'Disclosure' | Netflix Documentary (2020) 

According to a study from GLAAD, over 80 percent of Americans don't personally know someone who's transgender.

This means the majority of people learn about trans people through the ways in which they are portrayed in films and TV.

In 'Disclosure', film makers Laverne Cox and Sam Feder chronicle over 100 years of trans representation on screen, from silent film to 'Dog Day Afternoon' to 'Pose'.

Support groups and organisations 

There are a number of charities, groups and organisations who offer support for the trans community.

Mind 

Mind offers a confidential listening service for people who identify ​as transgender, gender-fluid, and/or non-binary.

They can be reached on 0300 123 33933 or email info@mind.org.uk. 

FTM London 

FTM London is a peer-support group for female-to-male transgender or transsexual people, and all those on the transmasculine spectrum, including all identifications of non-binary. The group can be contacted at contact@ftmlondon.org.uk. 

Depend 

Depend offers free, confidential and non-judgmental advice, information and support to all family members, spouses, partners and friends of transsexual people in the UK. You can email Depend at info@depend.org.uk. 

TransBareAll

A trans led, voluntary organisation that works with trans people to explore feelings and decisions around bodies, sexual health and intimacy. TransBareAll believes in improving the health and wellbeing of trans people and provide a space for trans people to discuss and explore things that impacts their lives.

Gender Identity Research & Education Society (GIRES)

GIRES is a UK-wide organisation whose purpose is to improve the lives of trans and gender non-conforming people of all ages, including those who are non-binary and non-gender.

They can be contacted by 01372 359 481 or via their email form.