Ottawa Trans Library Anniversary
The one year anniversary party. (Photo courtesy of Natalie G.)
The Ottawa Trans Library celebrated its first anniversary on June 1. Tara Sypniewski founded the Ottawa Trans Library which is located at 1104 Somerset St. West in Ottawa, Ontario. It houses a collection of books by trans authors, as well as historical, important and interesting works on trans issues and people. You can browse the collection online. In addition to the lending collection, there is a free library of books unrelated to trans issues.
The Library is a social space in addition to being a library. You don’t need to borrow a book to stop by. Oppressed people have always needed spaces where they can be safe, gather, meet new people and talk. There are reading stations and tables for studying or socializing. And there’s free coffee to sip while browsing the collection, or just drop in to say hello.
Natalie G. who has been involved with the Trans Community for over 30 years and a regular attendee of several social events in the past worked with the New Democratic Party (NDP) in passing a private members bill to amend the Criminal Code and the Humans Right Act, to add “Gender Identity and Gender Expression” to the Law. After several attempts to pass through both houses of Parliament the Liberal Party leader was elected and kept the to pass a Trans Rights Bill (C-16).
(Photo courtesy of Natalie G. who is in the back row.)
Gender expression and gender identity are now protected grounds to the Canadian Human Rights Act, and also to the Criminal Code provisions dealing with hate propaganda, incitement to genocide, and aggravating factors in sentencing. Learn more about the amendment from the CBC website.
Information and photos provided by Natalie G.
Category: Transgender Community News
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