This Sunday marks International Transgender Day of Visibility, and xHamster is marking the day by calling attention to the often overlooked role trans performers have played in expanding the movement. The full statement is available on xHamster, and social media, as well as below.

This Sunday, March 31, is the International Transgender Day of Visibility, which celebrates trans lives across the globe — and raises awareness about trans discrimination. This weekend, we will honor the contributions that trans performers have made to the trans movement and the adult industry.

From the beginning, trans performers have been a critical part of our industry’s success. During the first decade of internet porn, the success of trans performers and content helped the rest of the world understand the breadth and importance of the community.

Largely absent from mainstream media, trans performers in adult have helped bring trans lives out of the shadows, showcasing the community’s beauty, strength, power and pride. They reach those — in small towns and repressive countries — who may be struggling to realize their own identity.

Trans performers have been at the vanguard of trans politics for decades. They have continually challenged normative notions of what gender can be, often reaching conservative or unenlightened audiences who may never have considered the politics of struggle — but can understand love, admiration and desire.

While mainstream media may sometimes scoff at adult performers, trans performers in our industry have used their work to communicate both sexuality and humanity, and to reach millions of people around the world who might be otherwise stuck in a black-and-white binary world.

To all our trans performers and creators who are visible every day, we love you, honor you and thank you for all you do — for us, for our industry, and for the world at large.