Trans pride flag raising at Calgary city hall a first for Alberta
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 2, 2015 – CALGARY
The Trans Equality Society of Alberta (TESA) is pleased to announce the raising of a transgender pride flag at Calgary city hall on Saturday, September 5, 2015, the first known formal trans* pride flag raising in the province of Alberta.
The blue, pink and white flag will fly on Saturday from sunrise to sunset as a show of solidarity with trans*-identified Calgarians and support for the Calgary Dyke & Trans* March that occurs the same day. The transgender pride flag raising will be a first for Calgary city hall, as well as a first for any government building in Alberta.
“This is a great show of support by the City of Calgary,” says Angela Reid, a TESA board member. “Transgender issues are often obscured by mainstream LGB efforts, often requiring unique solutions,” says Reid. “TESA works to raise greater awareness of these issues by being a witness and a voice for matters concerning trans* Albertans.”
Aria Ehren, a trans* rights activist and member of TESA says, “The flag raising is an act that has potential to start conversations around trans*-specific issues and draw some much-needed attention to the concerns still facing our community."
The transgender pride flag to be raised in Calgary was created in 1999 by American trans* woman Monica Helms. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan became the first Canadian city to raise this flag officially earlier this year when the prairie city marked Transgender Day of Visibility (TDoV) on March 31. Vancouver B.C. followed suit in July of this year by holding an official flag raising at the start of Vancouver Pride Week. Alternate flags symbolic of the trans* community have flown as early as 2010 in Ontario.
“As many transgender people may also identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual, Calgary Pride Week is a terrific opportunity to show the many facets of oneself,” Reid says. “TESA appreciates the opportunity to support the efforts of Calgary's trans* and queer communities on this important day.”
According to Pride Calgary's website, the Calgary Dyke & Trans* March starts at 11:00 AM in William Aberhart Park (211 24th Ave. S.W.) and proceeds north on 4th St. S.W., concluding with a gathering at Rouleauville Square (197 17th Ave. S.W.). The march is described as "an inclusive demonstration, held annually the day before Pride, showing resistance from the Dyke and Trans* communities against discrimination, prejudice, and social exclusive practices at large. It is about visibility, community, and respect."
For further information about TESA, please visit www.tesaonline.org
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The Trans Equality Society of Alberta (TESA) is pleased to announce the raising of a transgender pride flag at Calgary city hall on Saturday, September 5, 2015, the first known formal trans* pride flag raising in the province of Alberta.
The blue, pink and white flag will fly on Saturday from sunrise to sunset as a show of solidarity with trans*-identified Calgarians and support for the Calgary Dyke & Trans* March that occurs the same day. The transgender pride flag raising will be a first for Calgary city hall, as well as a first for any government building in Alberta.
“This is a great show of support by the City of Calgary,” says Angela Reid, a TESA board member. “Transgender issues are often obscured by mainstream LGB efforts, often requiring unique solutions,” says Reid. “TESA works to raise greater awareness of these issues by being a witness and a voice for matters concerning trans* Albertans.”
Aria Ehren, a trans* rights activist and member of TESA says, “The flag raising is an act that has potential to start conversations around trans*-specific issues and draw some much-needed attention to the concerns still facing our community."
The transgender pride flag to be raised in Calgary was created in 1999 by American trans* woman Monica Helms. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan became the first Canadian city to raise this flag officially earlier this year when the prairie city marked Transgender Day of Visibility (TDoV) on March 31. Vancouver B.C. followed suit in July of this year by holding an official flag raising at the start of Vancouver Pride Week. Alternate flags symbolic of the trans* community have flown as early as 2010 in Ontario.
“As many transgender people may also identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual, Calgary Pride Week is a terrific opportunity to show the many facets of oneself,” Reid says. “TESA appreciates the opportunity to support the efforts of Calgary's trans* and queer communities on this important day.”
According to Pride Calgary's website, the Calgary Dyke & Trans* March starts at 11:00 AM in William Aberhart Park (211 24th Ave. S.W.) and proceeds north on 4th St. S.W., concluding with a gathering at Rouleauville Square (197 17th Ave. S.W.). The march is described as "an inclusive demonstration, held annually the day before Pride, showing resistance from the Dyke and Trans* communities against discrimination, prejudice, and social exclusive practices at large. It is about visibility, community, and respect."
For further information about TESA, please visit www.tesaonline.org
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