Toronto’s annual flag-raising to mark the fight against hate toward gay and transgender residents got a key new element Thursday. Before the rainbow and trans flags rose at city hall on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, Mayor John Tory presented the ceremonial Key to the City to social justice advocate Susan Gapka, the first trans person to receive the honour for outstanding citizens. Toronto Mayor John Tory, left, presents a ceremonial key to Susan Gapka on Thursday. ( Andrew Francis Wallace / Toronto Star )Tory told an audience that Gapka helped educate him personally, as well as the city and beyond, on the struggles and needs of people whose gender identity does not match the body with which they were born. The others, who will be honoured in later ceremonies, are: politician and community leader Zanana Akande; philanthropists Wilmot and Judy Matthews; community advocate Pat Moore; musician and conductor Peter Oundjian; and philanthropist Fran Sonshine.

Source: thestar May 17, 2018 18:44 UTC