Arienne Childrey Statement on International Transgender Day of Visibility

March 31, 2026

Today, on International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV), we celebrate the lives, contributions, and resilience of transgender people everywhere—a day that, in its 17th year, is more essential than ever.

Founded in 2009 by Rachel Crandall-Crocker as a joyful counterpoint to the somber Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), TDOV honors our living community. Several weeks ago, I had the profound honor of speaking with Rachel about the day's origins. Paraphrasing her words from our conversation: She saw TDoR as a day to honor our dead and, at the time, the only transgender observance; she thought that if we honored our dead, there needed to be something to honor our living. It was to be a day of trans joy—celebrating being true to who we know ourselves to be, regardless of the obstacles—and a day of protest, speaking out against those who seek to steal our joy.

In Ohio and across the nation, transgender individuals and families face escalating threats: state-level policies and legislation that seek to restrict healthcare access, limit affirming education and support in schools, undermine parental rights in gender-affirming contexts, and erode basic dignity and visibility. These attacks, often amplified by federal rhetoric and aligned state actions, aim to erase trans existence through law and fear.

Yet visibility is resistance. Erasure only succeeds if we allow ourselves to become invisible.

To my trans siblings, allies, and all Ohioans who value equality and human rights: Hold your ground. Speak your truth. Stay visible and engaged in our communities, at the ballot box, and in every space where decisions are made. No policy can erase who we are unless we choose silence.

We stand on the shoulders of trans activism's giants—Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, Rachel Crandall-Crocker, and so many others—who fought for the freedoms we defend today. Their legacy reminds us: progress is never inevitable, but it is possible when we organize, advocate, and refuse to back down.

It does get better—but only when we make it better, together.

As your candidate committed to fighting for all Ohioans, I will continue to champion policies that protect trans rights, expand healthcare access, ensure safe and inclusive schools, and uphold the dignity of every person regardless of gender identity.

Trans rights are human rights. Visibility is power. Let's keep showing up.

#TransDayOfVisibility #TDOV #TransRightsAreHumanRights #OhioForAll

Arienne Childrey

Candidate for Ohio House District 84

@Ari4Ohio