Thursday, March 28, 2024

‘We see you, we hear you’: BC marks Transgender Day of Visibility today

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Today is Transgender Day of Visibility—a day to recognize and celebrate the many contributions of transgender, non-binary, Two-Spirit and other gender-diverse communities.

“We see you, we hear you and we are allies for you,” wrote BC Premier John Horgan in a tweet Thursday.

In Victoria, the transgender flag can be seen soaring above the lawn of BC’s Legislature—the first government in BC history to do so, according to Horgan.

In a statement, Grace Lore, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, says it’s to raise awareness of the discrimination and violence faced by many transgender people every day.

“This is a gesture to our trans friends, neighbours and family members that we see you, we hear you and we are allies for you,” echoed Lore.

“In many places here and around the world, it is not safe to be openly transgender and many trans people are unfairly subjected to violence if they try to live as themselves.”

Lore and Horgan recognize efforts like the #YouBelongHere campaign by Vancouver-based QMUNITY and the ongoing work on the Transgender Archives at the University of Victoria (UVic).

Committed to preserving the history of pioneering activists, community leaders and researchers who have contributed to the betterment of Trans+ and other gender-diverse people, UVic’s Transgender Archives was established in 2007.

“We have been actively acquiring documents, rare publications, and memorabilia of persons and organizations associated with activism by and for Trans+ people,” states a post on its website.

Lore says the BC government is committed to helping make the province a safe and welcoming place for transgender, non-binary and Two-Spirit people, “where everyone is free to be themselves.”

“Our work is far from over as we renew our efforts to fight transphobic violence and discrimination, and to celebrate and make visible the unique contributions of trans people,” added Lore.

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