Like so much of LGBTQ+ history, Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) is a relatively recent historical milestone. Created in 2010 by trans advocate Rachel Crandall, it is a day to celebrate and honor the lives, legacy, and contributions of trans people, while also raising awareness for the disproportionate levels of discrimination and violence that the trans community experiences. Crandall, the head of Transgender Michigan, realized that the majority of media stories about trans people focused on violence. She wanted to create a day where people could celebrate the lives of trans people, while also acknowledging their lived experiences.
In 2026, attacks on trans people and trans history are intensifying, making the need for Trans Day of Visibility even more important. There is a year-over-year increase in anti-LGBTQ+ bills, including more than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills according the the American Civil Liberties Union, with many targeting the transgender community. And according the the American Medical Association, there is a literal epidemic of direct physical violence against trans people, which disproportionately affects Black trans women.
As a way to combat the discrimination and vitriol towards trans people in this country, Christopher Street Tours remains committed to sharing and uplift not only queer and trans stories and voices, but moments of trans joy all throughout our tour. This month, on our blog, we’d like to share some of those trans stories and moments of trans joy with you.
Stormé DeLarverie
A Black, lesbian drag king and activist, Stormé DeLarverie was also a bouncer at well-known NYC lesbian bars “Cubbyhole” and “Henrietta Hudson” and a key figure in LGBTQ+ history. She toured with the Jewel Box Revue as its only drag king, challenging gender norms and societal standards. Some believe she sparked the Stonewall Riots in 1969, though it remains unconfirmed. Known as the “guardian of the lesbians in the Village” Stormé spent her life protecting and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community.
Marsha P. Johnson
Marsha spent her entire life supporting and uplifting the trans community. A Black trans woman, drag queen, and “street queen,” she was an active participant at the Stonewall Riots of 1969 and co-founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) with good friend and fellow trans activist, Sylvia Rivera. STAR is widely considered to be the first trans advocacy organization in the world, leading to STAR House, a shelter for unhoused queer and trans youth of color.
Cecilia Gentili
Cecilia Gentili was a legendary Argentinian-American transgender activist, author, and actress who became a leading figure in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, trans health access, and the decriminalization of sex work in New York City. In 2019, she advocated for the passing of GENDA, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act. Some might recognize Cecilia from her time as an actress on POSE, Ryan Murphy’s FX show, which made history as the first show to star the largest cast of transgender actors in series regular roles.
In 2022, she was honored with the LGBT Community Center’s Visibility Award.
For us at Christopher Street Tours, sharing and uplifting stories of queer and trans joy is an active act of resilience and resistance. It tells the world that we are here, we are queer, and we aren’t going anywhere!
To learn more about these transgender legends, and other queer stories throughout history, you can book a tour with Christopher Street Tours.
