TDOV 2026
This is a story about a trans man named Lev.
Twenty-eight years ago, he entered the world, embedded with the identity, “girl”. He lived his life, believing that he's a “disease” needing a cure. A fault to be “fixed”. A “stray” to be put back in his place. A “threat” to be eliminated. This happened implicitly: CIS-TEMIC brainwashing and erasure.
When Lev realised his body and mind were incongruent with the the assigned binary of ‘female’, a sinking feeling of “oh fuck” ensued. “Who am I? What am I? What happens now?” He was drowning in a sea of questions, gasping for every breath. He lied to himself for years, fearful of the consequences if the truth was unveiled. Until one day, his trans self exploded a terrifying reality into fruition; defensive walls were no more.
Unconvincingly, Lev admitted he is a trans guy to himself and very select people. He desired feeling safe and at home in the physical vessel for his mind, but it felt foreign. Being called ‘she/her’, and possessing blobs on his chest fuelled gender dysphoria. His body screamed “GET ME ON TESTOSTERONE, NOW!”. He fought the haunting of internalised transphobia. He learnt how to find his people, and to value himself. As a veteran of the war on trans-oppressive society, he experienced the epitome of trans power.
What does trans power and strength mean?
Finding myself within the noise of shit and living authentically.
Autonomy and control over my own body.
Authoring my own stories and narratives.
Creating my own intersectional representation and content.
Threatening the CIS-TEM with my audacity (oh no, I broke the “normal system”).
Amplifying the stories and voices of my fellow TGD humans (community is powerful).
Re-defining what it means to be a man, as an autistic, queer, BIPOC, trans guy. (Toxic masculinity and the Manosphere is foul).
And more.
Everyday needs to be Trans Day Of Visibility, not just one day a year. Everyday is a day to be proactive in supporting TGD people. For cis people, I invite you to check-in with the TGD people in your life, continue learning about TGD global challenges, and be proactive to lighten the labour we face and carry. Every action counts.