We lost wonderful Julie Berman, a powerful voice for the trans community in Toronto, on December 22, 2019.

This week Julie’s friends and family gathered at The 519 to remember her. She was bright, playful, kind and determined to make a difference. Many of her friends spoke about how thoughtful she was:

A trans man cried as he spoke about just starting his transition and feeling miserable at Meal Trans. He said Julie landed beside him and said, “I had to sit beside you. You are so handsome!”
An older man who lived in Julie’s building said he was upset to see a hearing about their building was at 9:00 am the next day. He fumed that no one would be able to make it. His wife said, “Julie will.” He went. And Julie was there.
A big man in a green parka said Julie was the greeter at his Sunday 12-step meeting. “Everyone in the group loved her. Especially me.”
Many of her friends did impressions of her “Girrrl!” greeting. Each time, the crowd laughed.

I wish I had known her. We all are poorer without her.

Anne Creighton
Toronto Pflag President