I wanted to write a few words in support of International Transgender Visibility Day! As a social worker interested in LGBTQIA+ issues and working in those spaces, I try promote issues relating to the trans experience in my practice. As a writer/reader, I appreciate stories such as ‘Julian is a Mermaid’ that show and validate the trans perspective.
But even though books like Julian is a mermaid are important, I also love stories that include transgender and gender diverse characters, without making that their whole characterisation and goal of a story.
You need only look on this Wikipedia Article to see how important and prominent diverse gender identification is, not just our euro-centric construction. Particularly two groups I have studied of note are the Bugis of Indonesia and the Sistergirls/Brotherboys of ‘First Nations’ people.These two groups don’t even use the label of transgender and these types of gender-diversity has existed for a long time.
To further promote this visibility, I want to present Seishun (Emily) and her new track ‘hello to the sunshine’, which is quite an uplifting song!
I’m loving this track and if you want, please consider supporting my friend’s musical endeavours here:
https://seishun.bandcamp.com/track/hello-to-the-sunshine
Please continue this visibility, by including transgender issues in your works, by being an active ally and even in the smallest way. Even by just saying hello to the sunshine!
Christos Floratos 