Tears shone in her eyes as MLA Estefania Cortes-Vargas talked about the significance of raising a trans pride flag on the grounds of the Alberta legislature.

"I have a hard time forming words to say how I'm feeling today.. it's moving," Cortes-Vargas said Friday. "There's stories of people that have lost their lives for this day to happen."

The blue, pink and white banner was raised during a ceremony on a flagpole just south of the Federal Building on 107th Street. It officially marked Trans Day of Remembrance, a day to remember transgender people who died by suicide or violence and will now happen every Nov. 20.

Image | Marni Panas

Caption: Edmonton transgender activist Marni Panas said while advances have been made, the struggle continues for far too trans people, "a struggle that all too often means the end of another beautiful life." (Peter Evans/CBC News)

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About 75 people were at the event hosted by Shannon Phillips, minister of status of women.

"Our government stands with the trans community and all Albertans against violence, hatred and prejudice," Phillips said. "We memorialize those trans individuals whose lives were lost to violence."

She called for a minute of silence and then invited two gay MLAs and one gender-fluid MLA to take turns pulling on the rope to bring the trans pride flag to the top of the pole.

This event followed on the heels of another first for the Alberta legislature Thursday.

That's when Bill 7, an amendment to the Alberta Human Rights Act, was introduced in the legislature.

The bill makes it illegal to discriminate on the basis of gender identity and gender expression.

"We took a historic first step in presenting amendments to the Alberta Human Rights Act to include gender identity and expression, and we will continue to work to enhance protections for the trans and gender variant community," Phillips said.

Marni Panas, an advocate for transgender rights, said it was a day of mixed emotions.

"Yesterday we celebrated the steps that this government took towards real equality for transgender Albertans. But today we gather to remember the real struggle that still continues for way too many.. a struggle that all too often means the end of another beautiful life," she said.

"We will not, we cannot, ever forget the many people who continue to fight for their lives, and often with their lives. Today we remember you. Today we honour you."