Liverpool is not short of events to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility (TDoV) this year.
The day takes place on March 31 annually and not only celebrates trans and non-binary people but raises awareness of the discrimination they face worldwide.
Lily-Rose Hunt, Chair of Liverpool's TDoV, told the ECHO: “TDoV is so important as it is the one day that our gender-diverse communities get to celebrate our existence and diversity together. It helps to increase acceptance towards our community in society and raise awareness which is so important.
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"Particularly at the moment when anti-trans hate is on the rise. Therefore, we need to push back on that and show our strength, resilience, and joy more than ever.
"The weekend will be packed full of activities to help to raise awareness about transgender people. Our culture, our diversity, our struggles, our strengths, and our amazing sense of community. There really will be something for everyone of all ages, backgrounds, and interests."
Here's how you can celebrate Trans Day of Visibility in and around Liverpool:
Opening Night Party
The Transgender Day of Visibility opening party will consist of a night of poetry, music and performance in aid of the trans community in Liverpool.
Taking place in Liverpool’s City Centre at Lovelocks Coffee Shop on Thursday, March 30, the event will last two and a half hours and starts at 7 pm.
Attendees will hear from the winners of the first UK trans writing competition, Prose Purple. Admission costs £3 and all proceeds from the event will go towards Spirit Level Trans Support Group.
Wellbeing and Self-Care Workshop
Members of the trans community and its allies are encouraged to come along to Lush Liverpool Spa to get “some expert tips” from the team. They said whether you are experimenting with a new look or wanting to practice some self-care, these workshops are for you.
The event takes place on Friday, March 31, at 4pm at the Church Street venue - which is a 'You're Safe Here' accredited store.
Museum of Liverpool’s day programme
On Saturday, April 1, the museum will be taken over with stalls, performances, talks and workshops highlighting what it means to be trans and non-binary in Liverpool in this day and age.
The public is invited to come and show their support for the local trans community and “celebrate the wonderful gender diversity of our city”.
Marketplace
Between 11am and 4pm, a marketplace of trans-inclusive services and organisations is taking place.
Takeover event
GYRO will be hosting their takeover event THE Action Youth with local superstars Jollyboat. The programme is designed by and for trans and non-binary young people and will be taking place between 12 pm and 1 pm.
Archive of trans and non-binary stories.
Storyteller Mandy Romero will be launching an “exciting” new project documenting trans and non-binary stories from the 1970s to today between 1:30pm and 2.30pm.
Mandy told the ECHO: "It’s a way of gathering together all the things I’ve collected over the years that relate to and in some senses just express what it is all about to be trans, to transition, to transform and to do the adventurous things in the world that have to do with gender."
Banner-making workshop
Between 2pm and 4pm, local artist Lo Tierney will be showing guests how to create banners celebrating trans visibility and showing support to trans and non-binary communities locally and internationally.
Performances and readings
The day will draw to a close between 3pm and 4pm with participants from a local creative writing competition showcasing their work, with performances and readings of poetry and creative writing.
Yoga
End the week on Sunday, April 2 by relaxing in the Walker Art Gallery’s Sculpture Gallery with a guided Yoga session. Led by instructor Natalie Corrigan, the event takes place between 11 am and 1 pm and no prior experience is needed as the activity will be tailored around abilities and comfort level.
Andi Herring, CEO and co-founder of LCR Pride Foundation added: “Liverpool has a proud tradition of marking TDoV and celebrating our Trans and Non-Binary siblings in recent years, with the scale and impact of the event growing.
"As Trans people in the UK and globally continue to face appalling and increasing levels of violence, abuse and prejudice, this celebration is more vital than ever.
"Led by and created for the Trans community, it is an important platform for local Trans people, from which they can be seen and heard, and we are honoured and excited to be supporting the fantastic work of TDoV Liverpool and its city partners.”
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