Why do you think Pride Calgary chose to focus on trans issues this year? I think a few different reasons. One, there hasn’t been an outright focus on trans issues at Pride in a little while. Also, I think more people are realizing that trans issues and trans rights are a fair ways behind queer rights in general. As well, I believe more people are getting involved in trans advocacy in the city.

How do you think attitudes towards trans people have changed over the past decade? I think things have definitely changed for the better. I think there’s a lot more understanding of trans issues, or even if there isn’t more understanding of the issues, there’s more acceptance of trans folk. A lot more people are being out as trans, both famous people as well as people seeking high-profile roles, and being outspoken members of the community has definitely helped change people’s perceptions of what trans people are.

What misconceptions do you think still exist about trans people? There’s a whole lot of misconceptions out there. I think maybe the biggest one is that people think it’s a choice, when it’s not a choice, it’s something that is rooted inside them, that their body not fitting their mind is so ingrained that there’s not a whole lot of options for treating the problem. I think people still mix up the difference between gender identity or gender expression and sexual orientation, when in fact they’re completely different things. Sexual orientation is who you love, and gender identity or gender expression is who you are.

Have you personally encountered discrimination as a trans person? Discrimination can come in a lot of forms. Major, overt discrimination I haven’t experienced, but the more minor stuff, being told I’m in the wrong bathroom or things of that nature, I’ve certainly experienced and still struggle with.

What does it mean to you that the mayor is serving as parade marshal this year? It means a positive shift on the part of government for queer rights in the city. I think it’s amazing he’s going to be grand marshal and I hope that he sets an example for other government officials to come out and support queer rights.