I’m obviously extremely happy with the fact that trans people might actually get protections and results in Canada. Though, I’ll wait until it actually becomes law before busting out the champaign. Similar legislation has been stalled in the Senate until an election is called so let’s hope that doesn’t happen again. I hope be holding my breath though.
However, I feel like there is not a lot of recognition of the people and party who have been fighting for trans people. The NDP has been working with the trans community for years to attempt to have these rights implemented. They have introduced legislation four times and despite continued defeat they kept trying. The Liberals, including Trudeau, did not take a united or firm stand. They did not do the ground work. They were not the ones talking to our community. They were not the ones drafting legislation and arguing against Harper’s conservative government who tried to block it. Randall Garrison, Bill Siksay, Olivia Chow, and other NDP Members of Parliament did. They also all always turned up and voted yes and took a strong stance. The same cannot be said for the Liberals.
I’m happy of course but I feel like Trudeau and the Liberals are getting all this recognition and being branded as the champions of trans rights. Let’s give credit where credit is due - shall we?