I Spoke at Transgender Day of Visibility - March 31, 2026

Two of our local Indivisible groups, Indivisible Palo Alto+ and It's Blue Turn organized a rally in Mountain View this past Tuesday for Transgender Day of Visibility. I didn't know what kind of turnout we could expect because so many had done their duty just a couple of days before for No Kings Day, plus it was a chilly, drizzly day, but more than 100 people showed up!

I had the opportunity to be one of the rally speakers along with local political and faith leaders, representatives of the ACLU and Planned Parenthood, and other members of the trans community. I am in no way comfortable speaking in public, but this was a friendly crowd and I thought it was important for me to stand up.

Here is the planned text of what I had to say. A video of my portion of the speakers is below.

Hi, everyone! My name is Kassie and my pronouns are she/her. I’m transgender and I’m visible. I so appreciate all of you being here today for this Transgender Day of Visibility. It really means a lot to see so many in the community and so many allies.

I grew up in the 1960s and 70s when transgender people were seen as curiosities, jokes, or even monsters. I learned early on that I needed to hide who I was and who I wanted to be. I worked hard to make myself as invisible as possible. Society told me that expressing myself would bring me and my family nothing but shame and hatred, pitchforks and torches. It's a terrible way for a child to grow up.

About 10 years ago, I started hearing about all the amazing young people who were transitioning and were encouraged to truly be themselves with the love and support of their family, friends, and teachers. I started my own transition in part because I knew I couldn't properly support these kids while hiding in the shadows. And I remember my first day at work as Kassie. I remember thinking, "wow, no pitchforks, no torches."

But because we can't have nice things in this country, the billionaire-funded anti-transgender hate machine has been busy. The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention just issued its 3rd red flag alert warning of genocidal policies against trans people. Half the states have enacted laws banning bathroom access, sports participation, and health care. Kansas has invalidated drivers licenses. Idaho is enacting a felony bathroom ban. Kentucky has banned us from being teachers. Hospitals around the country are shutting down gender care clinics. And the federal government is making every effort to let trans people know that we are not welcome in American society. Just today, the Supreme Court ruled that conversion therapy is okay.

Adding insult to injury, there are Democratic leaders, pundits, and news organizations that are telling us that we've gone too far, that we're responsible for Democratic losses, that we need to sit down, shut up, and go back into the closet. Are we going to do that? No! Because transgender rights are human rights!

I'll be honest, I worry that our concerns are small beans in the overall fight for democracy and that I'm being selfish by keeping my focus on trans rights. But being here with all of you gives me hope and gives me strength. You remind me that this is all one fight, that trans rights are the right to healthcare and bodily autonomy for all, that trans rights are civil rights and the rights for all to freely participate in society, and to live without fear. Trans rights are human rights. Say it with me: trans rights are human rights. Thank you.