Across the globe, people celebrated, recognized, and honored March 31 as International Transgender Day of Visibility (#ITDOV23), an annual event that is dedicated to celebrating Transgender people and raising awareness of the discrimination and challenges faced by Transgender folx worldwide.
At MQ Proud, our LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group, it’s our commitment to amplify Trans voices and experiences every day. As part of our efforts and recognition of ITDOV 2023, we partnered with Oregon-based nonprofit, Point of Pride, an organization that provides financial and direct support to Trans folx in need of health and wellness care. This is seen through their services, advocacy, and direct support to Transgender and Gender Nonconforming (TGNC) folx worldwide.
As part of their mission and work, they partner with organizations, community members and volunteers to provide affirming handwritten notes for Trans youth and adults, The letters are sent by Point of Pride along with donations of free chest binders and femme shapewear. Opportunities like this are a constant reminder that recipients are seen, supported, and valued - a powerful message for Trans and Gender Nonconforming folx.
MQ Proud took an afternoon to learn more about Point of Pride from representatives of the organization, while also creating some of their own letters to send. The letters that MQ Proud members created included examples of our own positive experiences, letting recipients know that they are valued, while also creating a sense of connection and community (even if we may never meet the individual receiving the letters).
Here’s what a few MQ Proud Members felt as they participated in the event:
- “In times like today where there is disdain and hate; a chance to share love, appreciation, and support for members of the Trans community is super important. Being able to show that there are community members who care, is an additional act of love for all who receive them!”
- “I love that this event was open to all of Marqeta. It felt so meaningful to be able to share words of encouragement and affirmation to TGNC community members while having that tangible support from my fellow Marqetans participating alongside MQ Proud. It was truly a powerful moment being uplifted while uplifting others. Thanks to all who participated!”
- “Participating in the letter-writing event was a rewarding experience for me, because I learned more about the realities facing people who are in the process of aligning their physical self with how they identify. I appreciated this opportunity to give back to others and show them a little love through a letter. I hope my letters will brighten the day of the individuals who receive them.”
- “It was so refreshing to take some time during the work day to learn about Point of Pride's mission and the efforts they are doing to support the Trans community. It's so heartbreaking to hear about the struggles that people face around the world. Writing an affirmation letter that will be shared with an anonymous person out there felt like a small way to tip the scale in favor of love vs. hate."
- "It's incredible how rejuvenating it can be to sit with your peers and focus on uplifting your community, even for a short time. The work Point of Pride does is simple, yet couldn't be more impactful to the TGNC community. It's inspiring to be able to spend some time focusing on the positive things we can do to impact our community as opposed to the constant barrage of negativity we currently face in the media, etc.”
We acknowledge that there is still much work to be done around inclusion across the globe, and MQ Proud continues to champion and advocate for the many communities and experiences that make up folx at MQ. We encourage you to continue to learn, to practice empathy, champion inclusion and commit to understanding.
To learn more and to get involved with Point of Pride, you can visit their volunteer page. And if you’re interested in learning more about Marqeta’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Belonging (IDEB) initiatives, you can visit our landing page.
