FARGO — Nearly 100 people marched through downtown Fargo on Friday, March 31, in celebration of Trans Day of Visibility and to condemn the North Dakota Legislature over a litany of bills they say target them.
Trans Day of Visibility, an international annual celebration that began in 2009, is a day to attempt to raise awareness about accomplishments and victories of transgender and gender non-conforming people.
The day of celebration also offered those attending to address multiple pieces of legislation still up in the air during the legislative session, including a bill that would ban sexually explicit books in public libraries and a law that would restrict how the state's public schools treat transgender students.
“We are here to be visible at a time when we are pushed into the shadows,” said event organizer Zara Crystal, who described herself as a 21-year-old gay trans woman and a survivor of conversion therapy.
Crystal spoke from Broadway Square after the protesters marched from Fargo Public Library. Many cars honked in support as they drove by and protesters held signs that read: "Pronouns don't kill kids," and "Trans rights are human rights."
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The North Dakota Senate voted to override Gov. Doug Burgum's veto of a bill that would bar school districts and their governing boards from creating policies to accommodate transgender students unless parents give explicit permission.
Burgum, a Republican, announced his veto of Senate Bill 2231 on Thursday morning, March 30, citing the unnecessary burden it would place on teachers and school boards. The Senate's 37-9 vote to override the veto came about 10 hours later.
To become law, the bill would now need at least a two-thirds majority vote in the House of Representatives. A House vote on the bill last week came in three votes shy of the two-thirds threshold.
Crystal on Friday said she feared that people like her will not be allowed to walk down the street without facing arrest on charges of impersonating a woman.
“If that’s not a restriction of liberty, I don’t know what is,” Crystal said. “I am here on this ladder begging my state and my city to let us live. We are being forced to be activists before we can be human. Give me liberty, or give me death.”
Katrina Koesterman’s voice shook with passion as she spoke through a megaphone.
“I woke up and found the person I love in the mirror. To say that I am woke is not an insult, it is the highest compliment,” Koesterman said.
North Dakota lawmakers this past week moved bills targeting books with sexual content further along, with one bill nearing final passage.
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One bill would remove or relocate "explicit sexual material" from public libraries' children's collections.
“Their goal for us is nothing short of genocide,” said Koesterman, addressing the state legislative body. “Do not let them shove us back in the box.”
Growing up, Lexx Francis never felt accepted. He grew up surrounded by hate.
“But being transgender and gender nonconforming is love itself. Why would someone want to take my love away?” Francis said.
Anthony Birklid grew up in North Dakota, and said he was “worn out and tired" of hearing all the hate spilling from Bismarck.
“We deserve existence. I have almost given up, but you here have given me new hope. We will not give up,” Birklid said about opposing the legislative bills targeting transgender people.
About two years ago, Oliver Beth Dirks, from Fargo, said he attempted suicide.
“I have survived because I have chosen to. I will not lie down and take it. I am going to make it to 21 years old, I am going to make it to 30 years old," Dirks said. "I have had friends die because they were transgender."
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At sundown, Fargo City Hall was lit with transgender colors of blue and pink and white to commemorate Trans Day of Visibility.
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