The ECTA was conceptualized in 2010 by two transwomen who seemed to be the only out transwomen activists in their respective provinces of New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador. A year later, we would add trans people from Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
The core goal was to take steps to bring trans people together to work on education, activism, and social projects that would put our faces on the map in Eastern Canada. It was suggested that each province had too few out trans people to make a difference, so that by bonding together, we'd have strength in numbers.
Six years later, and after several successful tours, videos, live presentations, and pride week activities, we have since seen many other trans folks come out and get involved in this type of work. As I look around the internet, not only do I see many trans people out and involved in all four provinces, but I see many provincial and even local trans groups on the go that are making a difference.
Ultimately, while the ECTA won't necessarily take credit for all of this, we can feel satisfied that our mandate as an organization has now been fulfilled.
At the same time, we must remember that trans people still face extreme challenges and unfairness in this world, especially in the four eastern-most provinces of Canada. Health Care, Employment, Housing, and basic Human Rights are still issues most trans people face every day.
I'd like to say thank you to the core members of the ECTA who have done so much great work with me on this project over the past 6 years, and an additional thanks to the many additional people and organizations who have partnered with us on many successful endeavors. We can consider ourselves the foundation for much of the great trans work currently being done today by so many other great people.
Jennifer McCreath
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