Human rights settlement turns into $20K donation for Moose Jaw Pride

Moose Jaw Pride received a large donation this week and it all started with one person's fight to change a tiny letter on hergovernment identification.

Laura Budd lives near the town of Kelliher, Sask.,where for years she was a farmer, agronomist, andfather.

Budd was bornmale but in 2010, she told her wife that she identified as female.Two years later, she went public with this news.

In 2013,Budd wanted to change her ID to say she was femalebut her request wasdenied by eHealthVital Statistics.

At the time, the governmentrequired that persons wanting to change that information had to provide proof from a doctorthat they hadundergone gender reassignment surgery.

We're really just amazed at how much a single person can accomplish in such a short period of time.- Joe Wickenhauser

Budd said that wasn't acceptable andin 2014, she applied again in writing.

"Not having identification that matches your identity and your presentation opens you up to ridicule and discrimination," Budd said.

When she was denied again, Budd took her caseto the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.

For nearly two years, there were meetings, mediations and investigations until February of 2016 when the provincial government alteredits policy.

Now changing the sex on your ID requires a statutory declaration, a letter from a physician or a psychologist, and a small processing fee.You must18 or older to make this change.

Money for transgendereducation

According to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, sometimes compensation is awarded in certain situations.

In this case,the Ministry of Health agreed to make a $20,000 donation to acommunity group working to endtransgenderdiscrimination.

Budd said there arelots of strongorganizations in Saskatchewan but she felt Moose Jaw Pride was doing some great work on transgender rights, particularly inrural Saskatchewan.

Joe Wickenhauser, the executive director of Moose Jaw Pride, saidthe donation will go to providing support and transgender education, but also help people find their place in their communities.

He saidwhat Budd has accomplished is incredible and courageous.

"We're really just amazed at how much a single person can accomplish in such a short period of time," Wickenhauser said.

Future Plans

Laura Buddnowworks as a gender and sexual diversity consultant.Shesaidshe is happy and feels like a success.

"It's been a six-year process but lifelong to get to here," Budd said.

She plans tocontinue to work with the government in hopes that in the future, persons of all ages will be able to change their identification like she got the chance to earlier this year.