By Charlie Gainor, Staff Writer

Xavier’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion and Xavier’ LGBTQ+ Alliance collaborated to celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) on March 31.

First established as an annual event in 2023, the celebration was hosted in the lower level of the Gallagher Student Center. Attendees could have refreshments and write notes on poster boards to record what TDOV and the trans community meant to them. The spotlight of the event landed on junior middle childhood education major Grayson Slentz, who gave a speech about his experience at Xavier.

“This day doesn’t just mean a lot to me as a transgender student, but it means a lot to my fellow Musketeers who share unique and fantastic identities with me,” Slentz said. 

Slentz spoke briefly on some of the major struggles he has gone through as a transgender student at Xavier. 

“This past fall, I was supposed to be the Bellarmine Chapel Youth Ministry Intern, but apparently the bishop found out that I was transgender and did not allow me to continue in that role. I was not allowed to teach, talk with students, be seen or be heard. I was powerless,” Slentz said.\

Slentz said that this decision made him afraid of the church and what could happen to him, but he also gave credit to Father Eric Sundrup.

“He offered me many words of encouragement and has always been super welcoming of me at student masses,” Slentz said.

Slentz also highlighted some of his proudest accomplishments on campus.

“Through the Office of Student Involvement, I’ve been involved in (the Student Activities Council), the Ignatian Leaders Program, Emerging Leaders Retreat — both as an attendee and a leader — and as a Manresa group leader for the past two years.”

“Manresa has meant so much to me as a transgender student,” Slentz said. “Manresa is full of love and support for anybody, no matter if you’re the loudest and craziest person on the Move Crew or the quiet guy who isn’t strong enough to carry a mini fridge. It truly reflects the job of us as Xavier Musketeers: being all for one and one for all.”

Slentz said that the most significant gift Manresa has given him is a voice as a transgender person. 

“I’ve shared my journey to the first-years at Real World Xavier for the past two years, and I think it has made a difference.”

“TDOV reminds me that being trans+ doesn’t mean misery,” LGBTQ+ Alliance President Leo Fowler said following the event. “These events bring trans+ people and allies together to take a break from the hostility and just celebrate our identities. It can be easy to think that we are isolated and have no support, but events like this remind me that that is simply not true,” Fowler said.

Sophomore LGBTQ+ Alliance events coordinator Georgia Larive spoke on the introduction of restrictive legislation targeting transgender youth and adults into both state and national legislature as increasing the weight of events like these — notably the recently passed HB68, which complicated access to gender-affirming care for trans and gender non-conforming youth as well as blocked the ability for trans women to play on women’s sports teams.

“Unfortunately, in this society we have seen the media suppress talking about the queer community but even more so the trans+ community. These events help bring visibility to campus,” Sophomore LGBTQ+ Alliance events coordinator Georgia Larive said.“The impacts of TDOV I have seen is seeing people who are a part of the trans+ community being able to have a safe space to come together and celebrate who they are.”

As for what Xavier can continue to do to support the transgender community, Fowler talked about outward facing advocacy. 

“Posters like the ‘We Believe’ one that was recently taken down in Gallagher are corny, sure, but they send a signal to both the student body and prospective students about what kind of space they are walking into. Having private events like TDOV is good, but if Xavier really wants to support their trans+ students, they need to be loud and proud about it.”

Larive plans to continue to increase transparency and advocate for all queer communities as the incoming president of LGBTQ+ Alliance for next year. 

“I have always felt it has been a safe and welcoming space for all where we continue to learn and grow together. So, I hope to continue to foster that environment. I plan to create more visibility of the queer community on campus,” Larive said.