"Citizen X—The Bathroom Song" addresses washroom discrimination against transgender people

An Okanagan musical outfit has launched a song to raise awareness of injustice related to transgender people when it comes to using washrooms.

"Citizen X—The Bathroom Song", by the musical group Spark with song lyrics by Penticton's Lynn Greene, were written to protest the HB2 act, which was introduced by North Carolina governor Pat McCrory and passed in March.

The act prevents transgender people from using the bathrooms that match their gender identities.

Singer Christopher Wallace performs in the video, which was shot in the Summerland and Penticton, as a transgender person.

Although the song may have been inspired by what's happening in North Carolina, many transgender issues and rights remain unaddressed or unresolved here in our own country.

Although Vancouver city council approved a trans-equality action plan and the B.C. government approved legislation to amend the B.C. Human Rights Code to be trans-inclusive, at the federal level, the Liberal government introduced a bill in May to provide human rights and protection for transgender people.

In September, the Vancouver Public Library began adding transgender-inclusive washroom signs.

Also, as there will remain individuals who may be uncomfortable seeing trans people in washrooms or other spaces, the song and video is a reminder of the ongoing challenges that we face as we shift towards becoming a more trans-inclusive society.