A rally in support of transgender rights was held in front of the Kamloops Law Courts in late March, following the attempted introduction of a number of bills in the B.C. legislature that could have reverted progress made on trans rights in the province.
Three controversial bills by independent Kelowna MLA Tara Armstrong, including two targeting trans rights and one seeking to repeal the B.C. Human Rights Code, have failed at first reading, but received votes in favour by local MLAs Peter Milobar and Ward Stamer.
Both MLAs later clarified that their votes in favour of first reading were only procedural, telling other media it is common and traditional for all MLAs to do so.
Despite that, the introduction of the bills garnered a local rally in response, with about 60 people in attendance. Among them was Kamloops Sexual Assault Counseling Centre (KSACC) co-ordinator Fern Apeiron.
“We need to ensure the right to self-determination and self-autonomy is always accessible to every person, including trans people,” Apeiron said.
Apeiron, a queer trans person themself, moved to Kamloops from rural Alberta.
“I’m lucky to exist in a place like Kamloops that lets me be authentic. I can be myself at my job, I can use my pronouns. I changed my name legally and it wasn’t difficult,” they said.
Apeiron helped organize the rally and was on hand with information about resources offered by KSACC, as well as some advice for those looking to make a difference, encouraging people to contact their local MLAs to make their voices heard.
“We’re not really giving kids surgeries, like the media is saying. We’re giving them the right to ask to be called the name they want to be called, to use their own pronouns, to dress in a way that makes them feel comfortable,” Apeiron said.
Kamloops Coun. Nancy Bepple attended the rally and said she has a lot of admiration for the rally organizers and wants Kamloops to be an inclusive space.
In 2023, Bepple brought forward a motion for Kamloops to become part of UNESCO’s Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities, which council adopted.
“There is so much diversity here and we need to recognize that and honour that and make sure everyone feels included,” she told the Chronicle.
Apeiron wants to see more politicians attend these kinds of rallies, worried support for progressive policies is waning.
“It’s scary to see those rights slowly be walked back. I came here for a more progressive, safer existence and I want it to stay that way,” they said.