Mississippi Rainbow Center

In 2016, advocates tracked at least 23 deaths of transgender people in the United States due to fatal violence, the most ever recorded. These victims were killed by acquaintances, partners and strangers, some of whom have been arrested and charged, while others have yet to be identified. Some of these cases involve clear anti-transgender bias. In others, the victim’s transgender status may have put them at risk in other ways, such as forcing them into homelessness. While the

As we approach Transgender Day of Remembrance, I can’t help but to flashback on that dreadful night that it all hit home. I can remember being in my kitchen, cooking dinner for my family, when my son came in and said, “They got Mesha.” My response was, “What do you mean, got?” I thought he might have been referring that Mesha was robbed or assaulted. Instead, he said, “They found her body on an abandoned road in a ditch.” I instantly started looking online at news websites an

A soldier’s effectiveness — not identity — is what matters. On Aug. 25, President Trump signed a memo banning transgender people from enlisting in the military. He justified his decision by citing concerns about military effectiveness, the disruption of unit cohesion and the cost of medical treatment. Yes, it is step backward in terms of civil rights, as LGBTQ activists have pointed out. But both transgender veterans and military leaders have challenged Trump’s rationale for

This page is updated regularly as new deaths are reported. These are the transgender people killed in 2017 -- all of whom are transgender women of color: Josie Berrios (also known as Kendra Adams and Kimbella Rosé) was killed on June 13 in Ithaca, New York. She was 28 years old. Kenne McFadden was found on April 9 in San Antonio, Texas, but due to misgendering by police and the media she was not identified as a transgender woman until June 6. She was 27 years old. Sherrell Fa

It was a long day and a late night for all of us justice loving people who were there from across the state of Texas to register our opposition to the unjust HB 2899. Registration didn't start for oral testimony until 10 AM, but when it did I was one of the first peeps at the computer set up in our hospitality room to sign up to have my say. I was surprised because my name got called a little early in the evening to testify, but once again, being in Austin for the last fe

My name is Lea Campbell, and I am a straight, married, cisgender 40-year-old woman. Some of my dearest friends from the past and in the present are trans people. I can't imagine my life without them because my trans friends have shaped me into a better woman. I'm inspired by their courage and commitment to living their personal truths despite what society tells them they "should" be. It reminds me, that as a woman, I don't have to conform to society's expectations of who I sh

Just wanted to share the significance of what the Transgender day of visibility means to me. I actually chose this day to come out at work! It was the last place I was still not living my authentic self and it was so freeing. My team at work was super supportive and I was asked many respectful questions by other coworkers. It was and still is a powerful day for me and I try to just spend the day now doing "normal" things and being in the public eye. #authentic #self #trans #t

Shasta Moseley of Picayune would like to encourage everyone to acknowledge this Transgender Day of Visibility by learning the REAL facts about transgender individuals. I suggest you start here >>> Top 10 Myths About Transgender People Thanks Shasta #real #facts #myths #trans #transgender #visibility #shasta #moseley

Trans Visibility Day is March 31 and I highly suggest you take the opportunity to get involved. If you're not familiar, it's a relatively new holiday but one that shouldn't be missed. "The International TDoV is an annual holiday celebrated around the world," their website explains. "The day is dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments and victories of transgender & gender non-conforming people while raising awareness of the work that is still needed to save trans lives. Th

March 31 is Transgender Day of Visibility. The day was established in 2010 by a trans advocacy group in Michigan. In the years since, it has become a global celebration of the accomplishments of trans people, and a chance to give the trans population the recognition they more than deserve. While there are many ways to observe the day, one way to start is by following these trans activists on Twitter, if you aren't already. Now more than ever, it’s important for everyone to sh