Happy Early Trans Day of Visibility!
It’s a tough time to be a Trans person out in the world. Over the past several years there has been a surge in Anti-Trans legislation and hate in the US and Canada. From attempting to restrict access to gender-affirming care, or barring trans people from equal access in sports or school, it’s a scary time. Luckily, a lot of these laws are being overturned.
Spotted at Stonewall Youth in Olympia, Washington.
There is power in Trans visibility and stories. For every act of discrimination and hatred, there are caring people working to make the world a kinder place for Trans people. We’re seeing a lot more positive Trans characters in the media and Trans people who are able to live their most authentic lives.
With Trans Day of Visibility coming up on Monday, it’s the perfect time to celebrate your Trans friends, family, and community members. Perhaps you should buy them a little treat. They deserve it. Or if you don’t know any Trans people, you could celebrate this momentous day by educating yourself. To help you out, let’s learn about a Trans trailblazer who was born right here in Ottawa way back in 1952.
Rupert Raj has been a trans activist for 50+ years with an impressive legacy. He has been a writer, gender consultant, and a Mental Health professional for the LGBTQ+ Community.
In 1971 he flew to New York to acquire a Testosterone prescription and he got Top Surgery the following year (we love to see Trans people winning, especially in such a Transphobic time). He decided to educate the world about Trans people once he returned. He founded the Foundation for the Advancement of Canadian Transsexuals in 1978. In 1982, he wanted to focus on Trans Men who had very few advocacy groups, so he founded a publication called Metamorphosis to educate people on Trans Men’s Health and medical advances.
In 2002, he started RR Consulting, a private psychotherapy and consulting service that served Trans and Non-Binary people. He assessed an impressive number of people for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and Gender-Affirming Surgeries. He also provided Trans-focused training workshops for Hospitals, Universities, and Workplaces.
He is now a retired Trans Elder, enjoying some much deserved time off in Europe. He has an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree from Simon Fraser University for his 50+ years of Trans activism in Canada and Worldwide. He also received the Transgender Pioneer Award from Fantasia Fair.
He has made a huge difference in public awareness of Trans people and just as importantly — provided Mental Health support and gotten Trans people gender-affirming hormones and surgeries in a time that was rampant with discrimination.
Learn more about Ottawa’s Trans History at https://transottawa.ca/.
