Allies and advocates are encouraged to attend a Transgender Day of Visibility event in 麻豆精选 on March 31, to take a stand against growing levels of hate targeting gender diverse people and to celebrate queer joy.
"The hate is really generated from ignorance and a lack of education," said Dee McWatters, who is, among many other things, a human rights advocate, hockey player, volunteer and referee with B.C. Minor Hockey, transgender woman and the vice president of Advocacy Canada 鈥� the organization behind 麻豆精选's Trans Day of Visibility event.
Recently, McWatters has been targeted by anti-trans rhetoric and harassment for her advocacy in 麻豆精选.The content that has been shared with Capital News, which will not be republished, specifically targets her identity as a transgender woman and role as an advocate for equal human rights and visibility within the queer community.
McWatters said that it is because of the hate and misinformation that surrounds transgender, gender-fluid, non-binary and intersex people, that it is important that allies, role models and advocates 鈥� like herself 鈥� continue to be visible.
"Having more visibility would have absolutely helped me earlier in life. It would have taken away a lot of the confusion that I struggled with for a large part of my adult life. Being visible shows it is OK to feel differently than what the norm is," said McWatters.
She said that growing up, there was little transgender visibility and it was not always safe or accepted for people to live their truth in the public eye. Now, by being an advocate and by organizing events like the Transgender Day of Visibility, she wants to make sure no one else has to feel different, confused or alone.
"My personal story is that through my transition, I have never been so happy. I am so happy with coming out and living my authentic life. It was the best decision of my life."
McWatters also said it is important for those who do not understand biology 鈥� specifically differences in sexual development 鈥� to recognize that a lack of comprehension does not mean that people who are gender diverse do not exist or are not natural.
Further, she said that approximately one per-cent of the population identifies as transgender.
"This is not new and it is not that big of a deal," she said.
McWatters explained that some people experience naturally occurring differences in sexual development, and therefore do not fit exactly into one side of the gender spectrum.
For example; people may have XY chromosomes 鈥� typically associated with male development 鈥� but develop as a woman and appear feminine. People may also naturally develop both or partial male and female sex organs, or none at all.
McWatters wants all people to know that these differences are beautiful and accepted.
Many people also naturally produce atypical levels of sex hormones, like testosterone and estrogen, which can make them appear androgynous, or more feminine or more masculine than their biological sex.
McWatters said that not strongly identifying with the gender you were assigned at birth is completely normal, and is more common than being a person with naturally red hair.
"This was in my biology textbooks over 30 years ago," said McWatters.
She wants everyone to know that their biology, physical features and self-identity is valid should be accepted.
All people are invited to celebrate the diverse and creative folks in 麻豆精选's queer community to promote trans visibility on March 31, at the Laurel Packinghouse.
"This is a celebration," said McWatters.
The Trans Day of Visibility event will feature speakers, including trans advocate Marni Panas, and performances by local trans and queer artists to highlight and celebrate all that makes up 麻豆精选's community.
Entry to the event is by donation, and no one will be refused for lack of funds. Tickets are available online at advocacy-canada.lgbt and at the door.
