By Marianne Lassonde
Special to The Record
March 31 marks the 12th annual celebration of Transgender Day of Visibility since its founding by US-based transgender activist Rachel Crandall. In the Townships, the celebration will take place in downtown Sherbrooke at TransEstrie’s new office.
“It’s a day to celebrate who we are, our identity, and our community,” said Séré Beauchesnes Levesque, who identifies as transgender and non-binary.
The event aims to celebrate trans people and to raise awareness to trans issues, such as gender-based discrimination, homelessness and high suicide rates among trans youth.
According to a 2015 study by the University of British Columbia’s Stigma and Resilience Among Vulnerable Youth Center (SARAVYC), 70 per cent of trans youth report being sexually harassed with one in three having been physically threatened or injured.
The survey also revealed trans youth are at higher risk of contemplating suicide and 70 per cent of trans-Canadians reported their family did not understand them.
