Trans Activists Focus on Survival Skills Amid New Executive Orders for Trans Day of Visibility

Trans Activists Focus on Survival Skills Amid New Executive Orders for Trans Day of Visibility

Across the nation’s progressive cities, LGBTQ communities are organizing various events this weekend to mark Trans Day of Visibility, occurring on Monday. Among these is a unique workshop entitled “Skillsharing & Practical Survival,” which aims to equip transgender individuals with essential skills in light of recent executive orders issued by President Trump that challenge progressive gender policies.

“Our goal is to provide tangible benefits to transgender individuals rather than merely presenting them with events or performances,” stated Zander Moreno, an activist who is helping to lead the survival skills workshop in San Francisco. “While performances can certainly hold power, it is crucial for transgender individuals to feel safe within their communities and to know that there are dedicated groups working to counter the hostile actions emanating from the White House.”

The workshop forms part of a wider array of activities planned for Trans Fest, which takes place this Sunday in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco.

Key Events Highlighting Trans Rights

Trans Fest will kick off with an indigenous prayer led by activist Angel C. Fabian, who goes by the pronouns he/she/they and is ceremonially recognized as Tlahuizpapalotl, which translates to “Butterfly of Light.” The festival will offer attendees legal assistance and educational workshops covering their rights, along with a political education class and a self-defense session designed to empower participants.

Among the various creative activities offered, the “Art & Creative Resistance” event will focus on hands-on craft-making such as stencil making, printmaking, and altar creation.

The supplementary Skillsharing & Practical Survival workshop will delve into critical topics such as self-defense, do-it-yourself hormone treatments, and strategies for community safety and de-escalation.

Solidarity Marches Across the Nation

On Sunday, downtown Chicago will witness a rally in the Federal Plaza organized by the Trans Up Front coalition alongside Indivisible Chicago and about 30 other LGBTQ organizations. This gathering is designed as a protest against what organizers describe as the “MAGA right, the Republican-led Congress, and the Trump administration,” which they characterize as having perpetuated hateful policies and disinformation targeting transgender and nonbinary individuals.

The rally’s promotional material emphasizes, “In light of these policies, our community faces escalating discrimination, violence, and the potential loss of our rights. From healthcare access to legal protections, our trans community must be seen, heard, and supported now more than ever. We encourage everyone within the LGBTQ+ community and our allies to unite in demanding equality, dignity, and the defense of our rights. This protest aims to amplify our collective voice and call for meaningful change.”

Local Celebrations Show Solidarity

In Atlanta, the city’s LGBTQ affairs department is coordinating a celebration for Trans Day of Visibility at City Hall, aptly named “Deeper than Visibility: How We Talk about Us.” This event aims to foster connection and conversation among community members.

The president and CEO of GLAAD, Sarah Kate Ellis, remarked on the significance of these gatherings. She stated, “Communities are uniting to celebrate and demonstrate solidarity for transgender individuals at a pivotal moment in history—across blue states, red states, and globally. Equal treatment should not be a partisan issue; it is a fundamental value that binds us all together. Transgender Day of Visibility presents an opportunity for individuals to advocate for everyone’s right to live authentically and free from fear. It embodies the universal values of acceptance and equality that enhance every community, making them safer and more compassionate.”

Context Behind the Celebrations

This year’s events come at a time when President Trump has signed a series of executive orders aimed at limiting the influence of gender ideology in federal policies and educational settings. In February, he enacted an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” which prohibits biological males from competing in female-designated athletic events. Furthermore, another executive order laid out a binary definition of sex—female and male—determined at the moment of conception, further complicating issues surrounding gender identity at higher administrative levels.

Several legal cases regarding gender ideology, particularly those that involve minors, are currently underway at the U.S. Supreme Court, indicating a growing national conversation about these critical issues.

Strengthening Community Bonds

The upcoming weekend signifies more than just a celebration; it represents a critical moment of solidarity and empowerment for transgender individuals nationwide. Mobilizing around themes of survival and resistance, activists and allies are rallying to ensure that their voices are heard and that their rights are recognized in both policy and everyday life. As communities take to the streets and gather in solidarity, they hope to create lasting change that upholds the dignity and respect owed to every individual, regardless of their gender identity.