Friends, family, colleagues and community members gathered to celebrate transgender activist Joanne Law’s 80th birthday at the Ottawa Trans Library on Oct. 5.
As an influential trans trailblazer in Ottawa, Law has advocated for the inclusion and rights of trans people throughout her life. She was one of the founding members of Gender Mosaic, an Ottawa trans social support group, and was the first trans woman in Canada to chair the Capital Pride Festival in 2009.
“I know the difference between what it was like when I was young and when it’s like now, and I know that what Joanne did had some effect upon this,” said Tara Sypniewski, the founder of the Ottawa Trans Library.
The event celebrated Law’s birthday while highlighting her impact on the queer community with photos and memorabilia of Law’s activism left on tables to incite discussion. Law was surrounded by hugs, presents and cards offered by old and new friends alike.
“I had everybody who loves me there,” Law said.
“She’s a little special, you can’t really forget meeting someone like Joanne,” Jennifer said.
As a founding member of Gender Mosaic — originally called New Ottawa Women — Law helped co-ordinate monthly meetups to connect with other trans people.
“We used to gather once a month and just celebrate our transgender identity,” Law said.
Sypniewski, another founding member, and creator of Gender Mosaic’s newsletter, “Notes From The Underground,” said the support group was beneficial for the broader Ottawa community.
“I really think that Gender Mosaic had some influence on… the city being more trans positive,” Sypniewski said.
Law was president of Gender Mosaic from 1992 to 1995 and from 1997 to 2000. Sypniewski said Law embraced the role by talking to the media and connecting with organizations.
She received around 30 awards and certificates for her participation and contribution to the Ottawa community throughout her life. She said she hung them all on her “Me Wall.”
In another facet of her trans advocacy, Law also spoke about Canadian trans issues at the UN Human Rights Commission in New York in 2014.
Further, The Association of Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals of Ottawa (ALGBO) did not include the “T” for trans people until 1998. Law was the first trans woman on the executive team.
Law said she also used to crash the federal government’s diversity training.
“I listened to the presenter talking about diversity,” Law said. “I put up my hand and said, you know you’re missing a whole bunch of people in your diversity training […] the GLBT community.”
Karen Keskinen, a journalism instructor at Carleton University, had not seen Law in 10 years, but attended the celebration.
Keskinen said she met Law in 2005 at the Unitarian Church, where Law often talked about her story. Keskinen said her trans daughter “would just be in awe and amazement of Joanne.”
Keskinen’s daughter, Charlotte, transitioned about four years ago. The trans elders reminded Charlotte that she “would grow old too,” Keskinen said.
“I came here […] to thank her, because I think she was one of the reasons my daughter is alive,” Keskinen said.
Law said the most important thing she has done throughout her life is smile. She said it can take a lot of experience to keep smiling, but she enjoys life.
“I’m turning 80 and I can still love life,” Law said.
Featured image by Ana Maria Cadena/The Charlatan.
