Vancouver Pride Week is upon us again, and our neighbours in New West are once again getting ready for a week of Pride festivities starting Aug. 6.
This year, everyone in British Columbia has one more achievement to be proud of. In an all-too-rare display of bipartisan co-operation, Attorney General Suzanne Anton and Vancouver-West End MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert have put together changes to the B.C. Human Rights Code to protect people from discrimination based on gender identity or expression.
It’s an overdue affirmation that transgender people among us face unique challenges and have an equal place at the table in B.C.’s laws. Trans folks still face higher suicide rates and lower incomes and are more likely to be alienated from family.
It’s nice to know our B.C. government will have their backs when it comes to discrimination by employers, businesses or landlords.
We must remember, progress doesn’t just happen on its own. In fact, the B.C. Liberals resisted many previous attempts to update the code, arguing it was already up to snuff when it came to trans rights.
The people who fought for this and won are to be commended.
Sadly, trans people in other jurisdictions face far worse.
The NBA just announced it was pulling its All Star game from the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, in protest over the state’s new anti-LGBT legislation. The law states people must use the washroom corresponding with the sex listed on their birth certificate, denies protection for all LGBT people and forbids workplace discrimination lawsuits from being heard in state courts.
None of which suggests that B.C. is perfect – or that the Human Rights Code amendment will prevent hate and discrimination from occurring here too.
But it does serve as a reminder that we here in B.C. have come a long way in a relatively short time.
For that, we thank all who have stood up to be counted.
And we urge everyone in the city to get out and wear their rainbow gear with pride.
