Toronto – March 25, 2026 – March 31st is the International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV). This day is dedicated to celebrating transgender people, their contributions to society and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide.
Transphobic sentiments continue to escalate among the far-right in Canada and worldwide bills and laws are being issued that target transgender civil rights, threatening lives and communities. Transgender Day of Visibility is a day to combat the hate, to uplift and celebrate the trans community, and advance awareness about the challenges they face.
Trans people are a vital part of our communities and an essential component of the workforce and the labour movement. Trans people have always been a part of Canada’s life and history, and there is no possibility of winning workplace protections and rights unless we can win them for everyone.
Labour unions have been long-standing advocates for transgender rights, and their support is crucial in the face of current attacks. In 2020, 85% of UFCW survey-respondents who identified as intersex, transgender or non-binary stated that they observed or experienced anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in the workplace (in a 1,000 person survey of 2SLGBTQ+ UFCW members). This is twice as much as any other responding group.
The labour movement is helping to fight back in Canada, especially as Canadian Premiers like Danielle Smith continue to attack human rights via the unprecedented use of the Notwithstanding Clause. Numerous UFCW local unions across the country are educating and advocating about trans justice within their networks.
“All across the world, the rights of workers, the rights of queer and trans people, and the rights of many marginalized groups are under attack. Now is the time for solidarity, to come together,” Fae Johnstone of Momentum Canada told UFCW activists at the UFCW OUTreach conference last fall. “Right now, my invitation for our friends in labour is to be in the streets struggling with us. Labour is organized, labour knows how to change hearts and minds, and if we can lean into that solidarity energy, we can overcome everything that these billionaires are throwing at us.”
What can you do?
