Queer Community Rallies for Transgender Rights in Vancouver

250 queer radicals and allies joined forces at the Vancouver Art Gallery to celebrate gender diversity and demand concrete action of our provincial government on the rights of transgender people.

The rally was held on the last day of the Rainbow Week of Action, from May 11th to 17th, organised by the trans advocacy network Momentum. The Vancouver rally however was called independently by a coalition of local activist groups such as the Vancouver Pride Society, Momentum lacking a presence in British Columbia.

One might be surprised to learn that British Columbia lags behind Alberta (yes, Alberta of all provinces) when it comes to gender-affirming care. Organisers welcomed recent commitment by politicians with cautious optimism, pointing out that promises are only words until realised.

Speakers described expressing queer sexuality and gender fluidity as a radical ideology, actually born of a riot against police brutality, known as the Stonewall Uprising of 1969. Given that many countries still criminalise homosexuality and treat gender dysphoria as a psychiatric disorder, this statement isn’t far-fetched. In fact, even in liberal countries such as Canada, the meagre concessions obtained by transgender and nonbinary people are constantly beset by attacks by social conservative detractors, including prominent politicians such as aspiring Prime Minister Pierre Poilievre.

The movement for inclusion transcends queer sexuality and gender fluidity, as one speaker after another showed support for indigenous people, homeless people and drug users, and of course Palestinian liberation, along with less visible struggles such as that of the Congolese and Sudanese peoples. Voices blended in demanding liberation for all from colonialist governments and police states, asserting that none of us is free until we are all free.

Half of stage appearances were in contrast performances, by multiple drag artists and musicians lightening the atmosphere with cheerful songs, peaking with a duo singing “Everybody Loves a Lesbian” to the delight of an euphoric audience. Indeed the event was as much a celebration of hard won gains as a protest against conservative backlash.