Thread by @MavenOfMayhem

Trans visibility has always been important, but not always possible. Today it is possible but also, in many ways, has never been more important.
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Thanks to the tireless efforts of activists over the decades, trans and non-binary people are now more visible than ever. We owe a lot to our community elders who fought for rights before there was ever a chance, who were yelled at and spit on and beaten for doing so.
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We are now in a place where our voices are beginning to be heard. Trans people are gracing the covers of magazines, winning awards, featured positively in media, even producing that media. Some of us are loved by our families, keeping our jobs, living our lives. There is hope.
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And this, unfortunately, is creating an inevitable backlash. Bills are being introduced to harm our rights. Those that are passed have devastating consequences. Trans kids and their families are targeted more than anyone right now, some having to flee their homes for safety.
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The backlash against trans people is loud and frightening. It is dark and, at times, can feel hopeless.

But it's not hopeless. In fact, it's a sign of the progress we've made. This is the hardest part, the final battle before we win the war.
#TDOV #TDOV2022
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They thought they could keep us in the shadows. We proved them wrong. We are visible. We got the world's attention and much of that world has embraced us.

And now they're scared. They don't know what to do. They're frantically trying to stop what they can't. #TDOV
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These politicians and hate organizations are trying to put the genie back in the bottle - and that's not possible. Trans and non-binary people have made far too much progress. They can throw up roadblocks to slow us down but they can't stop what's already happening. #TDOV2022
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And they know this, which is why they're fighting against us so hard. It's like a toddler who has to go bed and knows he has no choice, but he's going to throw one hell of a tantrum before he does. Tantrums are loud, but futile. They're loud, but they end. This will also end.
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When racial equality made progress, racists got louder. When gay rights made progress, homophobes got louder. Today, trans rights are making progress, and transphobes are getting louder.

This is always what happens, and they never win. We will win. #TDOV2022 #TDOV
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But we have work ahead of us. We have more need for visibility in our communities so they can stop othering us. We have to work together as a community and with our allies.

We've been doing this and we can keep doing this. Don't lose hope. #TDOV
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I believe in us. I believe in our future. I believe in a time when we can live on any street, in any town, working any job and living any life we choose. We're going to get there. We need to protect those incredible trans kids so they can grow up to see it. #TDOV #TDOV2022
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Please don't lose hope, trans siblings. Know there are many of us out there fighting for all of us.

You are beautiful. You are strong. You are absolutely magnificent. Let's make it through these dark times together so we can celebrate on the other side. I love you. #TDOV
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