Ottawa's Capital Pride committee hosted its first queer human rights vigil Aug 20, highlighting the battles yet to be fought internationally and for trans people.

"Some countries couldn't dream of having an event like this — the police would come down on them so fast," said Gordon Boissonneault, the chair of Capital Pride.

About 50 people showed up at Ottawa's human rights monument to listen to speeches from local activists. The vigil was part of Capital Pride, which runs from Aug 17 to Aug 26. Many in the community felt the event brought some much-needed politics back to Pride.

Watch Xtra.ca's report on the vigil:


For more coverage of Ottawa's Pride week, check out the Ottawa section of Xtra.ca!