14 Wing Greenwood’s Defence Team Pride Advisory Organization, with wing peers, raised the transgender flag at the main gate March 31 to mark the International Transgender Day of Visibility.
DTPAO military co-chair Corporal Sky-Lynn Fisher welcomed attendees, and encouraged them to remember the day is not about letting people know transgender people exist: “They’ve always existed, but the truth of that history is missing so many pieces.
“Too many people have moved quietly through their lives because other people are making their decisions.”
Fisher said the transgender flag is a “beacon of light” for marginalized people, who know they will have a “safe place to go.”
404 (Long Range Patrol and Training) Squadron Lieutenant-Colonel Josh Christianson, the DTPAO champion and on behalf of Wing Commander Colonel Jeff Davis, said the Canadian Armed Forces prides itself on respecting the dignity of all people, and any group that is persecuted and marginalized.
“We welcome people to be their authentic selves, and to contribute their skills and abilities to the CAF.”
March 31 is a day to celebrate transgender awareness and the recognition of rights and independence gained in the face of more traditional challenges.
“And even many of those hard-fought rights for people have been challenged and erased in more recent years.”
Major Backhouse, 14 Wing’s professional conduct culture officer, reminded those at the flag-raising to remember “today is a day to mark transgender visibility, but not all transgender people can be visible.
“It is a choice for some, but others can’t be visible – to their families, in their communities, out of fear…. The CAF is a diverse, inclusive and welcoming place for everyone, even though they can’t be visible themselves.”
