(Speaking and educating others) helps make sense of a very long, very difficult road. You mentioned connecting with other Trans people. How would you describe the Trans community in London? Diverse. It’s bigger than what people think. A large number are seriously challenged financially andmany are dealingwithmental health challenges. There are others who are better off, there’s a broad cross-section. Would you consider yourself a privileged Trans woman? In a lot of ways I am. I’m not a person of colour and that makes a big difference. I make a good income and that makes a big difference too. I have a lot of things going for me. I’m lucky. What do you say to kids that come up to you and express that they might be struggling with their gender identity? I try to validate their feelings. It’s okay. I also make sure that they are safe, especially if they are a young person. Then I tell them to find a support network, people to talk to. Whether it is friends, a teacher, a youth group, etc. And if there is some way they can get some professional mental health support, that’s important. You are very involved in Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) each year. Talk about the importance of that event. Wenn TDOR started in 1999, to commemorate Trans people, people just like me, who were murdered simply for who they are. That reality hurts me on a personal level. It hurts a great deal to know that somebody would hate me so much, that they might kill me. Because they kill other people just like me. It’s a situation that needs to stop. We need to raise awareness. We need to let people know that this is happening. The murders are the most obvious manifestation of the hatred and bigotry, but it’s not the only one. I know at least one person in London who was beaten severely, two others who were sexually assaulted. I have been harassed verbally very loudly, on multiple occasions. Suicide is the other thing, the attempted suicide rate amongst Trans people is around 43%. The strain and the stress of transition is enormous. Where are we in London? Do you feel safe? It certainly changed. When I was presenting male, I would have gone anywhere, anytime in London. I wouldn’t do that anymore. I feel safe for the most part, but I am a lot more conscious of where I go and what I do. Partly that’s just being female in all honesty. As a woman you see things differently, than as a guy. I know because I’ve done it both ways. As a Trans woman you feel even a little more vulnerable. I probably wouldn’t go to many bars by myself. All in all though, yes, here in London I feel pretty safe. Finally, how do you feel about the future? Looking down the road, I am optimistic that we are moving to a much better place. Last summer Canada passed Bill C-16, which adds protection for transgender people in Canada’s Human Rights Act. Awareness is spreading all the time. There will be zig zags, but in the end the momentum is unstoppable.
Photos by Robert Riehl Photography
The Pride London Festival Ambassador Search 2018 was held January 27-28 to select a charismatic and talented Londoner to be the 2018 Pride Ambassador! Drag performer and singer Nico Lavender was selected and will participate in various events leading up to the festival in July, and won a trip for two (including travel and accommodations) to Toronto Pride 2018.
PRIDE Villager
Page 7 Issue 1 • Spring 2018
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