Nothing shows equality and diversity better than public acceptance of different types of people. Last week at the Humboldt city council meeting, council unanimously proclaimed March 30 to April 5 as Trans* Awareness Week.
"(This item relates to) promoting in our city respect and tolerance and the diversity that exists in our community," said Mayor Malcolm Eaton during the meeting. "I think it fits very well with the vision we have for our community being a welcoming, friendly, and supportive community."
The request was put forward by Sarah Miller, leader of the Humboldt chapter of the Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) group.
"I put forward the request because I think it's time Humboldt steps into the 21st century and realizes that different people live here and deserve support from the community at large," said Miller. "This would be a good first step."
The focus in particular for Trans* Awareness Week is to start an open discussion among people about the rights of transgender or transsexual people.
According to Mikayla Schultz, president of TransSask Support Services Inc., the term transgender refers to any person who doesn't believe their gender identity matches their assigned sex. In like manner, a transsexual may be in the process of transitioning from one sex to another via hormones, surgery, etc. However, those transitioning methods are not necessary to identify as a transsexual.
"Not all transsexuals identify as transgender and not all transgender people are necessarily transsexual," said Schultz.
According to Miller, lesbians and gays are already making strides towards this, now it's time for trans people to enter the fray.
"I know people identify as trans and it's hard to feel accepted because it's not as well known or discussed as much," said Miller. "I think it's a bigger issue than gay rights right now because it's the black sheep that nobody talks about."
For the week, Miller is planning to get group members together and write letters to MLA Donna Harpauer and to Brad Wall asking for trans rights to be recognized. In particular, the letters will focus on "adding gender identity and gender expression into the Saskatchewan human rights code."
The reason for this is to address problems and confusion trans people have fitting in with their communities, such as which washroom to use in public.
"It's not that these people just decide they want to be of the opposite sex," said Miller. "It's a genetic thing."
Originally, TransSask requested the proclamation from council, but were told it would have to come from a local group. The group then approached Miller asking her to make the request.
According to Miller, Humboldt isn't alone in this either. Other communities have already made their proclamations and had it accepted by the communities.
Despite that, Miller was surprised it was even approved by council.
"I wasn't expecting a yes, I was expecting a 'not at this time,'" she said. "I'm hoping to achieve awareness. I want the city to know that these people exist and deserve respect."
So far, it seems that Humboldt's city council is behind this awareness week. Now, it's just a matter of waiting to see how the rest of the city responds.
"City council recognizes the diversity that exists in our province and our city," said Eaton in a written response statement.
"We are pleased to support the efforts of community groups and organizations that are working to promote greater understanding, awareness and acceptance of differences in our community."
