A transgender woman has launched a new group in the hopes of stopping the hate.

Rebecca Rogers recently formed the Transgender Rights Action Network for New Brunswick.

They already have over 20 supporters but Rogers expects others, “I didn’t come out until I was 49. Having such an organization will help realise that it’s okay to come out and that they can live happy fulfilling lives.”

She says their hope is to raise awareness of transgender rights and also offer support, “There is a growing movement amongst right-wing people to attack transgender rights. I wanted to create an organization that would stop this in its tracks.”

They are planning to mark International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31st, with an event outside Moncton City Hall.

Rogers adds they’ll also hold their first annual general meeting in April, and they are still looking for Board members.

One of the first initiatives for the Network is a petition promoting the right for transgender women to have the cost of breast augmentation covered by the province.

“Currently, the fees are covered for transgender men to have a mastectomy without paying out of pocket, but if transgender women want to have it done, they have to pay for it.”

More details about the Network can currently be found on its Facebook page. Rogers is hoping to launch a website for the organization in the future.