TDOV 2026
TDOV 2026
In 2023, BTFA’s Founder and Executive Director decided to change the way New York City celebrates Trans Day of Visibility by shifting it from a day of conversation to a day of action. On March 31, 2023, BTFA hosted 8 activations in 4 out of 5 boroughs platforming and uplifting Black trans femme artists at some of the city’s most iconic locations and arts institutions, starting with a show in Times Square.
This year, we are returning to Times Square for the 4th year in a row with some of our staple BTFA performers and 2 brand new headliners! Join us on April 2, 2026 at 6pm in Times Square to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility and uplift New York City’s Black trans community.
The fourth annual Times Square TDOV showcase is hosted by Kimberly Jones and Milan Garçon and includes a DJ set by Lita Da Doll and performances by The Masterz at Work, Iconick, Miss Mojo, Julie J, and headliner Lana Jarae from Season 17 of RuPaul’s Drag Race
Further programming details will be announced soon.
About BTFA
Black Trans Femmes in the Arts, Inc (BTFA) is a Brooklyn-based non-profit organization that serves Black trans femme artists worldwide. We have received international recognition for our work to change the landscape of the arts to be a safe space for Black trans femmes and for spotlighting Black trans artists, pioneering a new wave of trans visibility.
ABOUT TRANS DAY OF VISIBILITY
Each year on March 31, the world observes Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) to raise awareness about transgender people. It is a day to celebrate the lives and contributions of trans people, while also drawing attention to the disproportionate levels of poverty, discrimination, and violence the community faces compared to cisgender (non-transgender) people.
International TDOV was created in 2010 by trans advocate Rachel Crandall. Crandall, the head of Transgender Michigan, created TDOV in response to the overwhelming majority of media stories about transgender people being focused on violence. She hoped to create a day where people could celebrate the lives of transgender people, while simultaneously acknowledging that due to discrimination, not every trans person can or wants to be visible.
ABOUT TIMES SQUARE ARTS
Times Square Arts, the public art program of the Times Square Alliance, collaborates with contemporary artists and cultural institutions to experiment and engage with one of the world's most iconic urban places. Through the Square's electronic billboards, public plazas, vacant areas and popular venues, and the Alliance's own online landscape, Times Square Arts invites leading contemporary creators, such as Charles Gaines, Joan Jonas, Jeffrey Gibson, Pamela Council, Mel Chin and Kehinde Wiley, to help the public see Times Square in new ways. Times Square has always been a cultural district and place of risk, innovation and creativity, and the arts program ensures these qualities remain central to the district's unique identity.
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