Toronto campaigns to raise awareness about transgender and non-binary coloured people

The Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention (Black CAP) consists of racialized transgender youth to promote transgender and non-binary issues.

The main highlights of this campaign are to differentiate between gender and sex among the trans and non-binary Torontonians, specifically trans youth of colour. and develop gender inclusive perceptions among Torontonians. media reported.

Although trans youth of colour, are part of Toronto’s LGBTQ community but they are underserved and often neglected and subject to bias and violence due to transphobia and racism.

Trans women of colour comprise the most vulnerable groups in Toronto.

"Toronto continually strives to be a place that provides opportunities and supports the well-being of all its residents," said Toronto Mayor John Tory.

Said Tatiana Ferguson, Project Lead for Black CAP, "In order to understand the needs of trans youth of colour and understand how race, gender, sex and class create barriers for trans youth of colour is a fundamental component required to identify and address the needs of trans youth in Toronto."

Shannon Ryan, Executive Director of Black CAP said he was confident that this campaign will lead to reduction of barriers that the city's trans youth of colour experience in their homes, schools, workplaces and beyond.

The campaign, created by the social impact agency PUBLIC Inc.  also aims to educate and encourage transgender and non-binary individuals to engage in dialogues and to get involved in educating others about trans-specific issues.

Four racialized trans youth who live in the city are expected to interact at transit stations and on social media for the next month to increase the visibility of transgender youth.

Ferguson said that the campaign’s aim was to put an actual face up for the community to help people engage with gender identity and how to express it.

The campaign website http://www.torontoforall.ca/ also provides extensive information and resources to educate Torontonians about non-binary issues and foster more understanding and advocacy among the cisgender community.

This is the fourth phase of the City's Toronto for All campaign with a goal for Torontonians to say "no" to all forms of discrimination and racism.

Phase 1 was held in the summer of 2016 and focused on Islamophobia. Phase 2 was launched in the fall of 2016 and addressed anti-Black racism. Phase 3 ran in the spring and addressed the discrimination of homeless men.

All campaign phases have successfully encouraged conversations among Toronto residents and media regarding the relevant issues. 

As part of a series organized by the City of Toronto’s Specialized Program for Interdivisional Enhanced Responsiveness (SPIDER), the city is hosting, a free of cost, Open Dialogue on Transphobia in North York Civic Centre on Thursday, July 27, 2017 between 9am and 12:30pm

Through panel discussions and community organizations working on multiple issues faced by trans youth colour, SPIDER aims to increase public awareness on issues of vulnerable Torontonians and educate general public.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)