The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
City marks International Transgender Day of Visibility
MIDDLETOWN — The city of Middletown raised the transgender flag at City Hall March 31 in honor of the International Transgender Day of Visibility, to show it’s support for, and raise visibility of, its transgender and gender nonconforming residents.
TDOV was founded in 2009 by U.S.-based transgender activist Rachel Crandall, a licensed psychotherapist and executive director of Transgender Michigan, and TDOV is honored every year on March 31, according to a press release.
“TDOV also provides a platform to raise awareness of the work that is still very much needed to achieve trans equality, and to combat discrimination and violence that is still all too common, especially for transgender women of color,” Mayor Ben Florsheim said in a prepared statement.
“Anything we can do as individuals, and collectively as a community, to be inclusive and promote equity for all people is important. History has shown us all too graphically how damaging silence against oppression can be,” the mayor said.
“At a time when transphobia is rampant across the country, it is important that we celebrate, uplift, and honor the transgender community here in Middletown,” Assistant General Counsel Christopher Forte, creator of Middletown Pride, said in the statement.
As part of the observance, the city is highlighting three LGBTQIA+ Committee members: Laura Timmons, Cayes Jarda and Christine Rebstock.
“Transgender Day of Visibility means that I am free to live my best life in a community that loves and accepts me as my authentic self. I have lived with chronic anxiety and depression for 40 years of my adult life, and being closeted was a big contributor to that. Once I came out as transgender female, I truly am living my best life,” Timmons said.
“As an educator, it’s important to me to be a visible beacon in my community for the students, families and staff. I knew at the early age of 5 who I was and no one believed me or understood. I had nobody to turn to, not even a book. I hid for a long time and that chipped away at that happy 5year-old who was ready for the world. I came out on national television, and it was the best thing I ever did,” Jarda said.
“After hiding who I really was for over 50 years, today and everyday, I am out as my true self. I live, work, and do the everyday things of life without hiding who I am, even simple things like getting gas and grocery shopping. I want to show people that we conduct normal lives as our true selves not only here in Middletown or in Connecticut, but throughout the world,” Rebstock said.
The transgender flag will be flying at City Hall through Friday. For information visit hrc.org.