They’re not running. They’re not hiding. While the Republicans in Tallahassee and Washington D.C. are doing everything they can to erase them, the trans community is doing the exact opposite. They are celebrating.

Transgender Day of Visibility is Tuesday, March 31. South Florida will mark the occasion at 6:30 p.m. at The Pride Center at Equality Park. 

“This is an opportunity for community members and allies to gather in an affirming environment that uplifts transgender lives and experiences. These events are designed to strengthen community connections while honoring the transgender voices,” TransInclusive Group’s Senior Management Consultant, Manëësh Chatman, said. 

The event will be hosted by fierce ally FayWhat?! and feature a lineup of speakers and performers including Angie Ovahness, Poison Ivy, E.C. Pizarro III, Savannah Brown, and Juliana Rivera. 

Speaking for the first time at this event will be local business owner James Tyrcha. A gay trans man, Tyrcha is a barber and U.S. Army veteran who has been criminally harassed online for years. 

But that experience doesn’t define his life. Tyrcha plans to speak not only on his personal journey but the power of finding true identity and the incredible responsibility to vote. 

And in keeping with the theme of the upcoming day, he proudly talks about the need for visibility.  

“This is the victory, where we come to make changes in the world,” he said. “Without visibility we will become invisible. There are so much anti-trans stuff going through this world.” 

Many states, with Florida often leading the charge, are attacking the trans community from all sides. Oppression includes everything from interfering in and blocking medical decisions to rescinding drivers licenses. Texas is trying to stop doctors from even discussing trans issues with patients. 

“This has to be a very powerful day to light a fire under everyone’s ass,” Tyrcha said. 

For more information, visit TransInclusiveGroup.org/Events. 

James Tyrcha. Photo by Carina Mask.