This year's Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) holds extraorindary significance at a time when transgender and gender expansive people across the US and abroad face unprecedented bombardments of legislative, legal, and social actions aimed at minimizing their existence. An internationally recognized holiday founded 16 years ago by psychotherapist Rachel Crandall-Crocker, TDOV seeks to honor the myriad lives, contributions, and challenges of transgender people across the world. At a time when transgender visibility is more pronounced than ever before in modern history, there is much to celebrate, recognize, and reflect upon amidst the torrent of transphobic attacks happening at the federal, state, local, and community levels.

Myself being a trans-identified individual, I struggle to navigate the seemingly contradictory celebration of trans excellence, perseverance, and progress amidst the present realities of trans struggle, overwhelm, and fear. Yet above all, we know as trans and gender expansive people that active resilience, mutual support, and community empowerment have and will continue to keep us afloat in a world that seldom recognizes - let alone celebrates - all that we uniquely contribute to society through our existence. Lest we forget, we have always existed, and certainly are not going anywhere.

So on today's TDOV, let us come together to radically honor all that trans people contribute every day to our communities, societies, and the world at large. Here at The LOFT, we strive to do so through offering a host of support services, resources, and events through our Trans Support of the Hudson Valley (TSHV) program, which aims to uplift, empower, and contribute to the needs of our local trans, gender non-conforming, and gender non-binary communities. 

At a time when funding sources are becoming increasingly precarious for trans-related organizations and programs, we kindly ask for your generous financial support in directly helping members of our local trans and gender-expansive communities with their medical, legal, social, and/or psychological needs. 

Your consideration would be most greatly appreciated. Thank you for your ongoing support of The LOFT's work to advocate, educate, and celebrate LGBTQ+ communities!

In solidarity,

Jyoni Tetsurō Shuler (she/they)

Senior Program Manager, Trans Support of the Hudson Valley (TSHV)