A Charlottetown resident carries a pride flag while listening to speakers at a previous rally to support trans-youth in P.E.I. Trans Awareness Week begins today in P.E.I. Photo by The Guardian /File

The P.E.I. Transgender Network (PEITN) has a full slate of community programming for Trans Awareness Week, taking place from Nov. 13 to Nov. 20.

The week-long series centers the lived experiences, resilience, artistic expressions, and advocacy of two-spirit, transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse (2S/TGNBGD+) individuals across Epekwitk (Prince Edward Island), culminating in the Transgender Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20.

The week opens with the official book launch of PEITN’s third community anthology, titled in these times, created through PEITN’s Together We Thrive mentorship program and funded in part by the Province of P.E.I.’s gender, equity, diversity, inclusion (GEDI) and community
enhancement program.

Edited by Julie R. Bull and Chelsea Ferguson, in these times includes 48 visual works and 50 written pieces from 42 local 2S/TGNBGD+ community creators.

The launch takes place today at Beaconsfield Carriage House in Charlottetown. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the 7-9 p.m. event. Admission is free and no pre-registration required. Seating is first-come, first-seated. Copies of the anthology are free for trans and gender-diverse community members and available for purchase by allies for $25.

The event will include contributor readings, art gallery, candle lighting and celebratory refreshments.

“It has been an honour and literal dream come true to curate, edit and contribute my own work to a book — especially alongside so many incredible trans+ creators,” said Ferguson in a news release promoting the book launch and week of events.

Bull said, “We are all part of a living legacy as we leave our mark in the pages of this anthology.”

Week of events

Trans Awareness Week will continue with more events throughout the week, including a community cafe, gender-affirming explorations, arts and crafts, a youth PJ and movie night, bingo and an open mic night. The week also includes flag-raisings at town halls across the province.

The week of events concludes on Friday, Nov. 20, with a Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil back at Beaconsfield Carriage House, Charlottetown at 5 p.m.

Trending