Vancouver Trans March 2017 for trans equality to be held today

While much progress has been made for LGBT people, there's still a ways to go to equalize things for the T in the acronym.

There has been progress made, such as changing washroom signs in places such as the Vancouver Public Library.

In July 2016, Vancouver city council approved a trans-equality action plan and transgender-inclusive changes were also made to the B.C. Human Rights Code.

The Vancouver Police Department will be implementing changes in their approach to interactions with trans people.

However during the provincial election in April, religious-themed transphobic flyers were distributed that targeted transgender NDP candidate Morgane Oger. And trans people face many more forms of inequalities and discrimination that persist in areas such as employment, visible representation or inclusion, and washroom or changeroom access.

To help support the struggle for trans equality, the 2017 Vancouver Trans March takes place today (August 4).

It aims to address racism, homophobia, transphobia, police violence and discrimination against trans people, the criminalization of sex workers, and access to harassment-free employment.

It is also to raise awareness and call attention to the lack of specific legislative protection against discrimination and harassment as well as a call for institutional respect for gender identities and expression.

Like Black Lives Matter Vancouver, this march is also protesting the inclusion of police in the Vancouver Pride parade.

The march will start by gathering at Clark Park (at Commercial Drive and East 14th Avenue) by 5:30 p.m. Welcome speeches will begin at 5:45 p.m.

The march will commence at 6 p.m., marching north on Commercial Drive, turning east on Grant Street, and finishing at Victoria Park with speeches and performances.

Participants are encouraged to bring signs.

For further details, visit the march's Facebook event webpage.