Thousands attend Trans March in Montreal

The streets of Montreal were filled with colour as thousands attended the Trans March, celebrating trans identities and making their voices heard.

“We will be marching down Sainte-Catherine Street to advocate for the protection of trans people’s civil liberties as well as to improve the quality of life,” said Celeste Trianon, the lead organizer of the Trans March.

On Saturday, Montrealers marched down Sainte-Catherine Street, demanding visibility and protection for trans rights.

“There have been countless attacks against trans people both abroad and here in Canada,” said Trianon.

According to organizers, the march is in response to the rise of anti-trans rhetoric both abroad and across Canada. Trianon highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the trans community, including recent attacks against trans individuals in Canada, such as the stabbing incident at the University of Waterloo in June. Police called the attack a “hate-motivated incident related to gender expression and gender identity.”

“Also here in Quebec, with our constant anti-drag protests happening pretty much once every month,” said Trianon.

“I’m an ally,” said an individual attending the march. “I feel like with everything happening in the world, there’s so much hate, why don’t we come together and say that we are humans and being trans is a human experience that we must respect and validate.”

Another attendee adds, “It’s a community thing, to be with each other and to show that there are a lot of us, and we care for each other.”