Manitoba celebrates 1st transgender and 2-spirit day of visibility

The final day of March celebrates transgender people internationally, but legislation passed in Manitoba last year expands that honour to include two-spirit and gender-diverse people, reminding the community that they are loved and supported in Manitoba.

Bill 208, spearheaded in 2024 by NDP MLA Logan Oxenham (Kirkfield Park) — the first openly transgender MLA in Manitoba — designated March 31 as Two-spirit and Transgender Day of Visibility in the province starting this year. 

Feather Wolfe, a two-spirit person from Muskowekwan First Nation based in Saskatchewan, says this day is deeply personal to them and every two-spirit and trans person during a news conference at the Manitoba legislature on Monday. 

"It's not just about visibility," said Wolfe, who moved to Manitoba six years ago. "It's about being able to exist openly without apology. It's about honouring all the parts of who we are, the parts that once were hidden, the parts we had to fight to understand, and the parts I can now celebrate."

Learning how to be true to themselves came with a cost of feeling isolated, judged and sometimes endangered — a reality that persists for many members in the community, Wolfe said. 

The day is a reminder that two-spirit, transgender and gender-diverse people will never be an issue in public places such as washrooms, restaurants, schools and more. 

"Believe me, we are far more uncomfortable, far more scared and far more alone than what makes up most of the majority," Wolfe said.  "We are human beings with stories, families, cultures and dreams, and we deserve to live without fear." 

The day of visibility is about celebrating resilience, honouring those who have died as a result of violence, and calling on those in power to move beyond symbolic gestures to take meaningful action toward change, Wolfe says. 

Wolfe says the province has made progress to protect and support trans and two-spirit people, but they are still more likely to face violence, while not feeling believed when they say they don't feel safe in schools and neighbourhoods by political leaders across the country.

"Visbility is powerful, but visibility without safety, without rights and without care won't be enough," Wolfe said. 

"When I think about the future of this country, if change isn't being done for everyone, we didn't do enough with our time or enough for our future trans and two-spirit people who just want happiness and acceptance."

'Huge win'

Executive director of Trans Manitoba Charlie Eau said the day formally including two-spirit people is a "huge win" for the community.

Growing up, Eau said they felt confident in their identity as a non-binary trans person, but never had access to any visible queer culture or positive trans representation. 

"I was like 25 years old before I met another person who identified as non-binary," Eau told CBC on Monday. 

"It's a really long time to live with no visibility and no understanding of who you are outside of your innate thoughts."

Eau grew up in Winnipeg before moving to Florida, but returned to Manitoba in 2005 because it was a safer place to be queer, they said. 

They are happy to see more queer events happening in Winnipeg, showcasing artists and business owners. 

"It's a really wonderful thing to be celebrated and to have my identity and my family recognized, acknowledged and uplifted."

"And it's powerful to hear and see allies and accomplices in public spaces with us, celebrating our identities," Eau said.

When Oxenham, thinks of visibility, he thinks of safety and privilege, noting that trans, two-spirit and gender-diverse folks do not always feel safe in their communities. 

Earlier this year, U.S. President Donald Trump repealed 78 executive orders made by his predecessor, Joe Biden, including those combating discrimination against 2SLGBTQ+ rights. Trump also declared that the U.S. will only recognize two sexes, male and female.

When asked about Trump's executive orders, federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said he was "only aware of two" genders, adding that he believes the government should let people "make their own personal decisions."

There are at least 100,000 people in Canada who have reported being transgender or non-binary, according to the 2021 census.

"One thing I know about us is that when we find joy, there is absolutely no stopping us. Nothing snuffs out hate quite like trans joy. Smiling in the face of your haters evaporates them … it takes their power away," Oxenham said. 

As Canada heads into a federal election slated for April 28, Oxenham is encouraging Manitobans to vote for a leader who will stand up for 2SLGBTQ+ rights. 

Health, Seniors and Long-term care Minister Uzoma Asagwara, who is non-binary, said love is action, which is something that strengthens the community. 

"It's one thing for folks to say that they stand with our community, or support our community, or love our community, but it's another thing to act on that," the minister said.

Asagwara announced the provincial government will provide the Trans Health Klinic with $1.03 million, Shared Health with $473,000 and 2Spirit Manitoba Inc. with $150,000  through the Manitoba Indigenous Reconciliation Secretariat and the Mino'Ayaawag Ikwewag provincial strategy. 

Improving access to gender-affirming care is an essential part of health care, Asagwara said.