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A Stittsville tween who has been fighting for the rights of transgender Canadians has been chosen to be this year’s grand marshal in Ottawa’s upcoming Capital Pride parade.

Charlie Lowthian-Rickert, 10, learned about the nomination two weeks ago when Tammy Dopson, chair and spokesperson for Ottawa Capital Pride,called her home to deliver the news. The honour left the family pleasantly surprised.

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“When (Dopson) said she was calling to invite Charlie to be grand marshal, I asked her to repeat it because I wasn’t sure I heard it correctly,” said her mother, Anne Lowthian. “And she did, and I started to cry because it was just such a wonderful thing for Charlie to be recognized for all the things she does. She’s an amazing kid.”

Dopson said each year the chosen candidate is known to exemplify leadership in advocacy to improve the lives of those of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, queer (LGBTTQ) community both locally and globally.