Transgender pride flag raised downtown; local advocates call for year-round support on Transgender Visibility Day

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It's International Transgender Visibility Day, and people across the country are speaking out and showing up in support of the transgender community. 

Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson declared March 31 Transgender Visibility Day in the city of Milwaukee, too. 

Johnson and advocates spoke at City Hall Thursday, March 31, and they say they want to see more legislation in support of transgender rights. 

"I’m asking for concrete and deliverable commitments and investments in the trans and gender expansive communities, so that they can actually thrive. Policies will only get us so far until we make specific efforts to change the narrative around trans people and queer people in this world," said Alex Corona. 

A transgender pride flag flies downtown in front of the Zeidler Municipal Building now, to honor the day. 

“Don’t claim to stand with us if you can’t do it all year and not just on these awareness days," said Elle Hill.

They also made a call for more transgender representation in public offices in the city of Milwaukee and across Wisconsin.

JoCasta Zamarripa, the city's only openly LGBTQ+ alderwomen, joined them. Zamarripa spoke about the hate the transgender community often faces. 

"We know that transgender folks suffer more violence and discrimination than their cis LGBTQ+ counterparts and their straight counterparts," said Zamarripa. 

According to the Human Rights Campaign, in 2020 and 2021 transgender people saw a record number of people being shot or violently killed.