Those who do not conform to society's traditional gender norms often face social exclusion and discrimination but the Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31 aims to reverse the negatives and instead celebrate the lives and contributions of trans people.

Created in 2010, the day is set aside to put the focus on narratives of empowerment over erasure.

Mataoe Nevils, strategic communications officer for the Lavender Rights Project, said transgender individuals have been pushed to society's margins but like all others, deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and equal rights. He hopes one day, a majority of people will move past their intolerance.

"Actually seeing that we are people who work, people who have families, people who have kids, people who are artists and organizers and faith leaders and all the things that a human being can be, that trans folks are also that as well," Nevils explained.

Under federal law, it is illegal for health providers, insurance companies, and other health programs to discriminate against transgender people. The same is true for employment, housing, and education providers.

But legal protections vary by state, and there is a national movement in the U.S. aimed at restricting transgender rights. According to the "Trans Legislation" tracker website, 747 bills have been introduced in 42 states this year to block trans people from receiving basic health care, education, legal recognition and the right to publicly exist.

The psychology of "othering," or scapegoating certain groups of people, is widespread in nearly all societies. Nevils added trans folks are just the latest target, based on fear of the unknown, personal bias, critical media coverage or perceived threats. He noted it often leads to dehumanization and even violence.

"Trans people are the scapegoat currently but somebody else will be the scapegoat tomorrow, or in a week, or in a year," Nevils underscored. "Something that we've been working really hard to do at Lavender Rights Project is to talk to people about our shared humanity, our shared goal."

Argentina, Canada, Malta, Portugal, Spain and Sweden consistently rank the highest in terms of support for transgender rights. The United States and Brazil are frequently cited as having the highest total numbers of transgender people living within their borders.

Source: Public News Service