Op-Ed: Trans rights must be priority every day

Transgender Day of Visibility is March 31, a day to recognize and celebrate the transgender, non-binary, gender diverse and Two-Spirit people in our families, communities and workplaces.
Here and around the world, it is not safe to be openly transgender, and many trans people are unfairly subjected to violence when and if they try to live as themselves. Lots of progress has been made, but that is being attacked and eroded.

It’s not just a problem elsewhere. It is a Canadian problem.

Last week, a banner was hung from a Vancouver overpass, equating gender identity to supporting child abuse. There are Ontario school boards where trans students’ rights are debated. On International Women’s Day, my friend Fae Johnstone was featured in an advertising campaign and faced a tidal wave of international hate.

It is a Nova Scotia problem; businesses hosting drag story time have received online hate.

Transphobia and violence do not occur in a vacuum. It starts with attempts to erase the existence of trans people and to block their participation in society. It is also well connected to other forms of hate and intolerance.

Social media companies allow extremist views to flourish, which sadly results in more profit for those companies. It’s one part of increasing accountability for what is said and promoted, and time to start some new conversations.

Now is the time to get loud. Support the visibility of trans, non-binary, Two Spirit and gender diverse Nova Scotians. Don’t stand on the sidelines as our access to public space, our safety and our human rights are eroded.

We need you to push back when people say transphobic things like “snowflake,” and to support us to feel safe at school, at home and on the streets. Use correct names and pronouns, whether you’re referring to people in the past, present or future. Along with this, support trans-owned businesses and trans and queer organizations.

Transgender Day of Visibility is an important touchstone in the year but efforts to support, protect and champion trans rights must be a priority every day.

Lisa Lachance, MLA for Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
NSNDP Spokesperson for 2SLGBTQ+ Affairs