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T is for Transsexual

Transsexuals are people who want to change, or who have changed, their bodies to be more in line with the sex they identify with.

Some societies, in different points in history, have revered transsexuals and trans people generally. But today, many suffer discrimination, harassment and violence. They may encounter job discrimination, difficulty in renting an apartment or trouble getting identity documents. Getting appropriate health care is sometimes impossible.

“If you talk to any trans person, you’ll find out pretty quickly the difficulties that they find in their everyday life,” says Bill Siksay, Member of Parliament for Burnaby-Douglas, who has introduced a private members’ bill to protect trans rights. “Prejudice and discrimination are often a daily experience for them.”

The trans rights bill seeks to add gender identity and gender expression as prohibited grounds of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act, and amend the hate crime and sentencing provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada to protect trans rights. Debate on Bill C-389 took place on May 10 in the House of Commons. Siksay hopes the final hour of debate will occur by mid-June, followed by a vote. From there, the bill would proceed to a Commons committee for further review.

To support the bill, contact your MP, the Minister of Justice Rob Nicholson, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper – or collect names for Siksay’s petition.

Let’s start with an introduction.  WE are Pride Toronto.

A collection of 26 volunteer committees, a handful of paid staff, a community of appointed Board of Directors, and 30 years of experience, stories and contributions that make Pride Toronto the largest Pride festival in North America, – and one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world.

Over the next few months, Words of Pride – The Official Blog for Pride Toronto, will feature a regular update called “Community of Pride”, in which we will bring GayGuideToronto.com readers around town to meet the individuals and share the stories of those who have been part of the Pride experience over the past 30 years – past, present, and looking towards the future.  From this BLOG as our platform, we will explore the personalities, memories, coming out experiences, and first “Pride” memories of Church and Wellesley, as well as get to know what Pride means around Toronto.  From the Village to King St W, from the surrounding GTA to individuals from other cities around the globe.   Together we share common experiences under an umbrella called Pride.

Together, we are a Community of Pride.

Want to share your own stories about yourself or someone you know ?

We’d love to hear them.   Talk to us about what “30 Years of Pride” has represented.  And help us meet the individuals who have been changed for the better because of their own Pride Experiences.

Send Pride Toronto a direct email to [email protected] — with the SUBJECT “Community of Pride”.

If you submit a story about yourself or someone you know, please also submit a photo or graphic (with permission to post from that individual) and we will consider the posting for an upcoming Community of Pride update.

Start with “My name is ….”

And if possible, share with us which of the LGBTTIQQ2SA* categories your story falls within – as these facets make up our community, and together, create a phenomenal historic relevance.  Community of Pride will explore the individuals that make up our famous acronym.

*Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Questioning, 2-Spirited and Allies

Along the way we hope to share few warm laughs, shed a few tears, and commemorate some important milestones along the way.

Oh yea -

And don’t forget to join us in Toronto for Pride Week, June 25 – July 4, 2010!

Yours with Pride,

Pride Toronto

(as written by Michael Ain, Marketing & Communications Manager)