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Saskatchewan first to raise transgender flag at legislative building
Reported by Adriana Christianson
First Posted: Mar 31, 2015 4:06pm | Last Updated: Mar 31, 2015 5:01pm
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Saskatchewan became the first province to fly a transgender awareness flag at the provincial legislature for Transgender Awareness Week.
Mikayla Shultz is the director of Trans Sask Support Services. She hosted the flag-raising ceremony outside the legislative building on Tuesday. The small crowd included members of the transgender community, along with friends, supporters and politicians.
"The importance of the flag-raising is to celebrate the diversity of gender within Saskatchewan and to celebrate the small steps we have taken in recognizing transgender people as full citizens of Saskatchewan."
Since coming out as a transgender woman six years ago, she says the community has made leaps and bounds in educating the community about transgender identities and issues. In December, the Saskatchewan government also passed a bill to protect transgender people from being discriminated against based on their gender identity.
"I think the transgender flag being the first in Canada is symbolic of where we need to go in Saskatchewan," Schultz said.
Schultz said Saskatchewan still is lagging behind other provinces, but there is progress. Transgender people are still trying to have their own gender markers listed on official documents including driver’s licences and birth certificates. Schultz says they are also working to improve education and resources for medical professionals to help provide appropriate care for transgender people.
Stephanie Cox also spoke at the flag raising ceremony. She noted that it is sometimes difficult for her to focus on the positive steps forward rather than the negative side.
"It's symbolic of how far we're coming in society," she said.
"So far transgender have been treated with disdain by a lot of the world. It's so scary even coming out for a lot of people.
“We don't feel like we can come out into public space. A lot of people are hiding in their own houses and they spend their entire lives like that."
Cox recalled her first time going out in public as a transgender woman.
"It's terrifying," she said.
"The first time I tried to come out I had painted nail polish on my fingers and it was terrifying.
“I went out to a restaurant and people were staring at me and when I went home I immediately just took it all off with rubbing alcohol."
For her, seeing the flag at the legislature is reassuring because it is a sign of progress.
"Transgender people get harassed, insulted, threatened and physically assaulted in public," she said.
AChristianson@rawlco.com
Reported by Adriana Christianson
First Posted: Mar 31, 2015 4:06pm | Last Updated: Mar 31, 2015 5:01pm
Change text size: + -
Saskatchewan became the first province to fly a transgender awareness flag at the provincial legislature for Transgender Awareness Week.
Mikayla Shultz is the director of Trans Sask Support Services. She hosted the flag-raising ceremony outside the legislative building on Tuesday. The small crowd included members of the transgender community, along with friends, supporters and politicians.
"The importance of the flag-raising is to celebrate the diversity of gender within Saskatchewan and to celebrate the small steps we have taken in recognizing transgender people as full citizens of Saskatchewan."
Since coming out as a transgender woman six years ago, she says the community has made leaps and bounds in educating the community about transgender identities and issues. In December, the Saskatchewan government also passed a bill to protect transgender people from being discriminated against based on their gender identity.
"I think the transgender flag being the first in Canada is symbolic of where we need to go in Saskatchewan," Schultz said.
Schultz said Saskatchewan still is lagging behind other provinces, but there is progress. Transgender people are still trying to have their own gender markers listed on official documents including driver’s licences and birth certificates. Schultz says they are also working to improve education and resources for medical professionals to help provide appropriate care for transgender people.
Stephanie Cox also spoke at the flag raising ceremony. She noted that it is sometimes difficult for her to focus on the positive steps forward rather than the negative side.
"It's symbolic of how far we're coming in society," she said.
"So far transgender have been treated with disdain by a lot of the world. It's so scary even coming out for a lot of people.
“We don't feel like we can come out into public space. A lot of people are hiding in their own houses and they spend their entire lives like that."
Cox recalled her first time going out in public as a transgender woman.
"It's terrifying," she said.
"The first time I tried to come out I had painted nail polish on my fingers and it was terrifying.
“I went out to a restaurant and people were staring at me and when I went home I immediately just took it all off with rubbing alcohol."
For her, seeing the flag at the legislature is reassuring because it is a sign of progress.
"Transgender people get harassed, insulted, threatened and physically assaulted in public," she said.
AChristianson@rawlco.com
to Sask for raising the flag!
