For years, I have celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD), honoring the achievements of women in veterinary medicine and beyond. But this year, with all that is happening in the United States of America, I hesitated before posting anything about IWD. I wanted to review whether IWD acknowledged the diverse realities of all who face gender-based discrimination.
I am friends with several transgender woman veterinarians. They are competent, compassionate, and deeply committed to their work. However, I saw firsthand the struggles they faced, both professionally and socially, simply because of who they were.
It made me wonder: When we talk about celebrating women,
are we truly including all women?
Or is International Women’s Day still centered primarily on cisgender women?
This uncertainty led me to do some research. I wanted to understand how different organizations approach inclusivity on IWD - whether transgender women and nonbinary individuals are recognized in these celebrations, or if the conversation is still evolving.
Here’s what I found:
International Women's Day has traditionally focused on issues related to women’s rights, gender equality, and the achievements of women.
In recent years, many organizations have recognized the importance of inclusivity, extending their celebrations to honor transgender and nonbinary individuals, particularly those who experience gender-based discrimination.
Opinions on whether IWD sufficiently includes transgender and nonbinary perspectives vary widely, with some advocating for greater inclusivity and others maintaining that the focus should remain on cisgender women’s experiences.
As for the name, some argue that broadening it could better reflect the diversity of gender identities affected by gender inequality, while others believe that the historical and social significance of "Women's Day" should remain unchanged.
Here's how some organizations approach inclusivity on IWD:
National Organization for Women (NOW): NOW is a prominent feminist organization in the United States that supports transgender rights. In 1997, NOW passed a resolution affirming trans inclusion within the organization, supporting "recognition of transgender oppression," and calling for education on the rights of transgender people. Former NOW president Terry O'Neill stated that the struggle against transphobia is a feminist issue, and the organization has affirmed that "trans women are women, trans girls are girls."
Women's March: Established in 2017, the Women's March is trans-inclusive, asserting that "trans women are women" and condemning trans-exclusionary radical feminists. The organization does not allow transphobia in its events, emphasizing a commitment to inclusivity.
National Women's Law Center: The NWLC unequivocally supports the inclusion of trans women in women's sports and has stated that nondiscrimination protections for transgender people are not at odds with women's equality but rather advance it. The organization rejects the suggestion that cisgender women and girls benefit from the exclusion of transgender women and girls.
European Women's Lobby: EWL is trans-inclusive and has called for more attention and research into discrimination against trans women and lesbians, emphasizing that women with multiple identities are more vulnerable to discrimination. The organization stresses the urgency of designing policies that do not leave any girl or woman behind.
Danish Women's Society: This organization supports LGBTQIA rights, takes homophobia and transphobia seriously, and supports initiatives that promote the rights of gay and transgender people. They view the LGBTQIA movement as close allies in the struggle against inequality.
Norwegian Association for Women's Rights: NKF is trans-inclusive and supports legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. They have supported significant legislative milestones for LGBTQ+ rights, welcoming advancements in this area.
Rick’s Commentary
These examples demonstrate a growing recognition among feminist organizations of the importance of inclusivity, ensuring that IWD celebrations honor the diversity of all individuals who face gender-based discrimination.
The evolution of IWD reflects broader societal discussions about gender, identity, and inclusivity.
While many organizations now explicitly recognize transgender women and nonbinary individuals in their celebrations, others remain focused on cisgender women’s experiences.
The debate isn’t just about language. It’s about who is acknowledged, who is supported, and whose struggles are seen as part of the fight for gender equality.
For me, learning about these different perspectives reinforced that inclusivity is an ongoing effort. However, my personal view is contained in the following words:
A truly meaningful celebration of women should recognize the diverse realities of all who face gender-based discrimination.
It’s not about erasing anyone’s experiences but rather it's about expanding the conversation to reflect the full spectrum of womanhood.
Further Reading
A History of LGBTQ+ People in the Veterinary Profession. https://pridevmc.org/history/
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