Next week, events in Vancouver, Toronto, and Saint John, New Brunswick, will mark the first Canada-wide observance of Trans Awareness Week. In Vancouver, a community forum and film night will celebrate the occasion.

Tami Starlight, a 39-year-old transsexual woman, is the founding chair of Trans Awareness Week, as well as the Transgender Day of Remembrance, in Vancouver. She also sits on the board of directors of Egale Canada, the nation's leading lobby group for bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender rights.

Seven Oaks spoke to Starlight about Trans Awareness Week and the state of the trans community in Canada.

Seven Oaks: What's the goal of Trans Awareness Week?

Tami Starlight: The goal is to educate the public about the trans community in the lower mainland in British Columbia, and even Canada and the world. But of course, I do mostly want to focus locally and let people know what are our challenges, what do we face, what's available to us - the fact that we don't have funding for anything, practically. Anybody who wants to come out of the closet right now faces the insurmountable task of trying to find friendly doctors, healthcare professionals to help them, because there's really nothing out there. You can't just go to a doctor and say, "You know, I want to transition." Even the therapists from the old Gender Clinic that closed down aren't accepting clients.

S.O.: What motivated you to organise Trans Awareness Week and the Transgender Day of Remembrance in Vancouver?

T.S.: I found it to be really important to get some trans people visible in the community. I find that really one of the most difficult parts of the trans community is the fact that people transition and half of us, basically, become hetero, somewhat well adjusted women or men, blend into society, and disappear. Believe me, that has been going on for 20, 30 years and more so, I would say, in the '90s than any other time. Few become activists and very involved, and visible in the media and the public. . . . There's a whole plethora of trans people that live in society, who have all kinds of information and strength that they could give to this community, but they just don't.

S.O.: This will be the first nationwide Trans Awareness Week. Where do you hope it will go in the future?

T.S.: Ultimately, I want to see it in every major centre - even small town Canada - and we can all do it at the same time. That would be amazing. It's such a great thing - the vibe of a community doing things all at the same time. We've been, "Oh, I have my little event over here, my little event over there, at different times of the year." This has been going on for a long time, and the community doesn't communicate well. . . . It's about time we all came together.

S.O.: What's the state of trans rights in Canada?

T.S.: They kind of don't exist. . . . People with different sexual orientations are covered in Canada. But gender identity is still yet to be passed through Parliament.

S.O.: Is there a significant trans community in Vancouver?

T.S.: Not really. As a matter of fact, we're probably at the lowest low that Vancouver's ever been in, with regards to the trans community. We may have a community, but there's people who just go about everyday life; they don't get involved. I'm sure there's a whole variety of reasons why people don't get involved.

S.O.: How do trans people fit into the wider queer or LGBTTTQQI community in Vancouver?

T.S.: Some don't - some basically identify as heterosexual. You would have a female-to-male be interested in basically either genetic women or transsexual women. Or, you would have a transsexual woman, M-to-F, interested in men or transsexual men. I would say about half the people who transition are just like that. Mostly they would be interested in bio-men or bio-women, and being in a very typical heterosexual relationship. Now, there's another half that get in queer relationships, who identify as lesbian or gay men.

S.O.: There is a tension between "transgender" and "transsexual," as well as other identities that challenge gender categories, like "genderqueer." Why is that, and what is your take on that?

T.S.: Or genderfuck. Don't fuck with my gender - and you can quote me on that. Actually, I have no problem with that. You see, it has a lot to do with me being really, really open. I believe strongly in unity. I don't believe that I'm only here for the transsexual community; I'm also here for people who are gender variant or just genderfucking. . . . The idea of binary gender is going to be a thing of the past - whether I like it or not, whether you like it or not, or whether your readers like it or not.

S.O.: If you could clear up one misconception about trans identities, what would it be?

T.S.: That everything that you were led to believe is not.

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