'Still more work to do': First person in Canada with gender-neutral passport reacts to day of awareness
One of the first people in Canada to get a gender-neutral 'X' on their passport says Canada has come a long way, but there is still more work to be done.
Gemma Hickey spoke with CTV's Maralee Caruso on the 18th Annual International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. They say it is a day of awareness, recognition and celebration.
"But it is also a reminder to people out there, especially our allies, that we still have more to do. It is days like today where we can rally together as a nation to do just that," Hickey told Caruso.
"I'm so proud to be Canadian, I just have to say, because there are other parts of the world (where) homosexuality is still criminalized. Transgender people like myself can be murdered.”
They said while there has been a lot of advances – such as the end to the blood ban – they said more changes are needed.
"(There is) lots to celebrate but still more work to do."
Watch the full interview with Gemma Hickey to hear what they say needs to happen next in Canada.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years in sex trafficking case
Fallen R&B superstar R. Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison Wednesday for using his fame to subject young fans - some just children - to systematic sexual abuse.

LIVE @ 3:30 PDT | 2 officers undergo surgery, third in hospital after deadly Saanich bank shooting
Police in Saanich, B.C., kept an area near a bank evacuated overnight as they continue to investigate a possible explosive device linked to a deadly gunfight with two suspected bank robbers.
Where do the inquiries into the 'Freedom Convoy' protests and use of Emergencies Act stand?
Five months ago, the first 'Freedom Convoy' trucks rolled into Ottawa. After the federal government took the unprecedented step of invoking the Emergencies Act to end the protests, a series of inquiries and probes have been initiated. With the nation's capital bracing for more protests over the Canada Day weekend, CTVNews.ca takes a look at where the main commissions and studies stand.
Mother forced to spend night sleeping on Toronto Pearson floor because of Air Canada delays
A mother of three children is speaking out after spending a night on the floor of Toronto Pearson Airport with her young kids in a nightmare weekend of travel.
Virginia man dies by suicide after toddler left in hot car dies
A toddler accidentally left in a vehicle for hours died Tuesday and police said his father was found dead in an apparent suicide at their Virginia home, police said.
Canada to lead upgraded NATO combat force in Latvia
Canada has signed an agreement to upgrade the NATO battlegroup it leads in Latvia to a brigade, a move that signals its commitment to the military alliance while continuing to resist calls to boost defence spending.
Researchers find llama's blood could hold key to 'super-immunity' against COVID-19, other viruses
Researchers suggest antibodies found in llama blood could lead to the development of a spray to immunize against COVID-19, SARS and other coronaviruses.
Canada's transportation minister slams 'unacceptable' baggage chaos at Toronto Pearson
Canada's transport minister is speaking out about the 'unacceptable issues' that continue to result in significant delays. He says the federal government has done everything in its control to fix the issue.
Ontario researchers say they've found what causes long-COVID symptoms
Through the use of MRI technology and spearheaded by researchers at Western University, the cause of long COVID symptoms have been identified for the first time.