By Aline Bouwman, Marketing and Communications

When Margaret Waldron took on the role of Pride Representative with the Douglas Students’ Union (DSU), she knew she wouldn’t just be representing the 2SLGBTQIA+ community; she would also be paving the way for trans, non-binary and gender-diverse students simply by being visible as a trans woman in a leadership position. 

A fourth-year Associate of Arts in Creative Writing student and the first openly trans representative in the DSU, Margaret is dedicated to creating inclusive spaces at Douglas College and helping gender-diverse students navigate the complexities of College life and gender identity. 

Most importantly, her presence signals that Douglas campuses are places where trans students belong and can show up authentically. 

“When people see someone like them, it opens the door for them to take up space as well,” Margaret says. 

But visibility, she emphasizes, is just the beginning. Her real work has been to educate allies, organize gender-inclusive events and help students access gender-affirming care. 

The costs and benefits of representation 

While Margaret is making history as the first openly trans person to serve with the DSU, she sometimes forgets that she’s breaking new ground. 

“Often, I literally forget I’m trans until someone’s a bit transphobic toward me,” she says, laughing. “Then I remember, oh right, that’s still a thing.” 

Still, being the first comes with being seen as a representative for the entire community, for better or worse. “At Pride flag raisings, I get shuttled from politician to politician – everyone wants a picture with the trans girl,” she says. “It’s a little surreal.” 

Margaret has become a kind of unofficial “first” for many people. “I’m often someone’s first trans woman friend,” she says. “Or their only one. Sometimes, I’m the first trans person they’ve ever had a real conversation with.” 

That comes with emotional labour. And, sometimes, baffling questions. “I’ve had people ask me, ‘Are you the gay man or straight man version of a trans woman?’” she says, with an amused shake of her head. 

Her answer? “I think I’m a lesbian with the soul of a gay man and the body of a Midwestern woman.” 

It’s a witty response, but it reflects a deeper truth about the misconceptions many people still carry about gender and sexuality. 

“A lot of people still think of trans women as the ‘final evolution’ of a gay man,” she says. “And if you’re attracted to women, they ask why you even transitioned.”  

But she also sees the deeper significance of being visible as a trans woman in leadership. “I know how hard academic environments can be for trans women. Even in queer or feminist circles, there’s still so much transphobia. So just being visible makes a difference.” 

Read more about a Douglas alum who launched a career as an 2SLGBTQIA+ activist 

If the clothes fit 

One of Margaret’s initiatives this year was organizing a gender-affirming clothing swap at the College. For many trans and gender-diverse students, shopping for clothes that align with their gender identity can be a stressful and sometimes inaccessible experience. 

“Especially if you’re early in transition, it can feel really intimidating to walk into a clothing store and shop in a section that people might think doesn’t align with your gender presentation,” Margaret says. 

With the fear of discrimination compounded by the financial burden of assembling a completely new wardrobe, many trans and gender-diverse students don’t have much opportunity to explore clothing styles that feel right for them.   

The clothing swap allowed students to expand their wardrobes in a non-judgmental environment where these barriers were removed. 

Filling the gaps 

From the day Margaret started as Pride Representative, she has been working to fill critical information gaps for trans students. 

She points out that many trans students still rely heavily on peer-to-peer networks to understand their health-care options. Barriers to accessing gender-affirming care are multifaceted, ranging from financial obstacles and lack of trained providers, to stigma and discrimination. Navigating complex bureaucratic systems and encountering a lack of trans-competent health-care professionals can be overwhelming and confusing. 

“I’ve done a lot of research for students,” Margaret says. “I’ve made spreadsheets of resources I can email when people ask about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or gender-affirming care. Honestly, that kind of work has been necessary, because there just isn’t enough accessible information out there.” 

“If you have a good doctor, HRT can be really customizable,” she explains. “But most people don’t even know that. There’s just not enough clarity or consistency, especially when you’re first starting.” 

Margaret is taking steps to improve access to vital health information for trans students. She’s currently organizing a Q&A panel featuring gender-affirming health-care specialists. The panel event’s purpose is to give students a chance to ask questions in a safe, supportive environment. 

Margaret also recognizes that asking questions, especially about deeply personal or intimate topics, can make trans people feel vulnerable 

“We live in a transphobic society, and specifically, a transmisogynistic one,” she says. “A lot of questions about HRT are private, like, how will this affect sex? Or what about fertility? And it can be awkward or even shameful to ask.” 

To reduce that barrier, students will be able to ask questions anonymously. “That way, folks don’t have to out themselves or feel exposed in front of a group,” she says. 

Read more about how a Therapeutic Recreation student is championing trans-inclusive policies 

Beyond visibility 

At many past events, Margaret recalls being the only trans woman in the room. But that’s changing. 

“I’m seeing more trans women showing up – not just to Pride Collective events, but to Women’s Collective events and other DSU events, too.” 

Margaret’s work, both visible and behind the scenes, is already making a difference. Whether it’s compiling spreadsheets, organizing events or showing up to student-facing DSU events, her leadership is expanding equity, diversity and inclusion on our campuses. 

“It means a lot,” she says, “to be in these spaces and know that another trans woman might walk in and feel less alone because of it.” 

And for every awkward question or photo op, there’s someone in the room quietly noticing: if she can be here, maybe I can too.