The lakecity's Pride society will be hosting a safe, welcoming Transgender Day of Visibility event in Williams Lake to help educate and build community on March 31.
Williams Lake Pride Society (WLPS) will be hosting an all-ages event Monday, March 31 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Graham Kelsey Room of the Central Cariboo Arts Centre with board games and refreshments to honour the transgender community.
The day of March 31 was first designated as a Day for Transgender Visibility back in 2009 as a way to help acknowledge the contributions of all transgender, gender questioning, non-binary and all gender expansive persons to the world.
"We looked at something that was fun, entertaining, low key event that's going to be safe for trans people and their allies," said Billie Sheridan, director of public relations and social media for WLPS.
She said the group wanted to offer something to include the trans community on the National Day for Transgender Visibility to help counter the current political discourse in the world around transgender people and how they are perceived.
She said looking south to the United States and even in Alberta, where she said trans women and youth are being ostracized by the provincial government, this event is aimed at helping the trans community come out and have a bit of fun in a safe space.
When asked if her own experience as an openly transgender woman has changed as the discussion around gender and identities has become more polarized and politicized lately, she said it has "absolutely" changed.
"I get that question a lot especially when it comes to living in a place like Williams Lake as opposed to places like Vancouver," said Sheridan.
She said it is quite shocking for people to hear how in Williams Lake she said she experiences less disdain and hatred than she has in larger cities.
Sheridan attributes this to the more interconnected nature of the community, where people know they could experience repercussions if they were to ostracize a group of people and they are more likely to be recognized doing so.
"It could cost them their job, it could cost them time in court," she said.
Once in Edmonton, on a vacation with her son, a person came up to her while she was on public transit and spat on her and called her a "freak."
But while Williams Lake may be a tighter-knit community, she said she has still had some unpleasant encounters.
"I've definitely had my fair share of people coming up and telling me their viewpoints," she said, describing women approaching her to tell her to "find Jesus" and other unsought advice.
But she said she has heard from some transgender and gay youth locally who have experienced more resistance locally.
She hopes the event on March 31 will give the trans community and their supporters a chance to gather and have fun as well as give people who are interested in educating themselves about transgender people an opportunity to do so.
The event is free and will include refreshments.
"We're a part of the community just as much as everyone else is," she said.
