City of Regina flies transgender flag

To mark the start of Gender Diversity Awareness Week in Saskatchewan, the City of Regina is flying the blue, pink and white transgender flag.

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Speaking at a special ceremony in front of city hall, Stephanie Cox, organizer, and chair of TransSask Support Services, shared her own personal struggle of coming out as a transgendered person.

"Since I came out a few years ago in Regina, I've been chased down the street by intoxicated men saying I was disgusting and that they were going to beat me up. I've been repeatedly circled and screamed at by a teenager who insulted and laughed at me," Cox said.

But with the city's support in flying the transgender flag at city hall, Cox said it's amazing to see the support and hopes the idea of inclusivity resonates with the rest of the city.

Regina Mayor Michael Fougere joined Cox and a small group for the flag raising. He said Regina is about inclusion and no matter what ethnicity people come from of which gender people identify they are welcome in Regina.

"The goal of our city is inclusion and the best way to demonstrate this as a city council is by proclaiming this to be Gender Diversity Awareness Week and also raise the flag out of recognition," Fougere said.

TransSask Support Services and other organizations in Saskatchewan have a series of events planned around the province to bring awareness to the huge diversity that exists in the province.

The group plans to raise a flag at the Legislative Building on March 31, the Transgender Day of Visibility, at 11 a.m. CST.