UCP trans bills met with backlash and concern within the community

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on November 5, 2024.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

On October 31, Alberta’s government tabled three bills with focuses on gender diversity and transgender individuals, which have been met with backlash from official opposition, educators and concerned individuals.

The three bills in question, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, the Education Amendment Act and the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act all aim to address different aspects of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, especially as they pertain to transitioning or gender diverse youth.

The first bill was proposed earlier this year, and among other topics, prohibits health professionals from performing sex reassignment surgery on minors, as well as bans the use of puberty blockers or hormone therapies for those under the age of 15 who have not already started these treatments. At the age of 16, youths can begin either treatment with physician, psychologist and parental consent.

Education Amendment would require educators to notify parents and seek consent for any requested name or pronoun changes for those under the age of 15, and notify for minors aged 16 and 17. It also changes instructional materials regarding sexuality, gender identity, sexual orientation from an opt-out module to opt-in, requiring parental consent for the topics.

Under the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act, organizations will have to post eligibility requirements for all amateur competitive sports they deliver, and will be able to limit women’s divisions to strictly those assigned female at birth.

“[Support will be given] for the formation of additional co-ed divisions inclusive of transgender athletes, so no Albertan has to watch from the sidelines,” the province says.

These announcements make for a “heavy day,” said Naheed Nenshi, Leader of Alberta’s New Democrats. As a politician, he commented that “punching down on trans kids” was not among priority concerns for a majority of Albertans.

“A quarter of this government’s legislative agenda this fall is anti-trans legislation, something no one is asking for,” said Nenshi. “As an uncle, and as a teacher, I know today is a rough day for young people.”

Nenshi continued to comment that many youth, not only gender diverse or trans youth, will be asking themselves if there is a place for them in Alberta.

The sentiment was echoed locally by the Prairie Pride Guild of Medicine Hat and District, which released a statement that the UCP government took a “regrettable step backward by passing legislation that actively discriminates against the trans community,” and took a firm stance against the bills.

“Our mission is to celebrate, educate and support 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and their allies. This law does the opposite, sowing fear, pain and stress in the lives of those we cherish – our family members, friends and neighbours,” said the Pride Guild.

In regards to the new medical regulations, it was pointed out by Medicine Hat resident and parent of a transgender child, Kim Large, that there is no significant permanence to puberty blockers or hormone therapy, as if these treatments are halted, the hormones of the assigned sex at birth will resume making the bodily changes associated. However, she adds, “nothing is more permanent than puberty.”

Large also added that in most cases, no gender affirming surgeries are performed under the age of 18 currently; only rarely and with parental consent is any removal of breast surgery performed, known within the transgender community as “top surgery.”

Genital reassignment, also known as “bottom surgery,” already only occurs at or above the age of 18, and many individuals wait for years after application.

The rate of regret for these surgeries, cites Large, is 0.2-2%, while rhinoplasty as an example, which youth can get at 15 with parental consent, has a regret rate of approximately 40%, according to the World Journal of Surgery.

“Gender affirming care is safe, scientifically proven, regulated and approved by the medical community. The government has no place standing in between my daughter and her best possible care,” said Large. “Regardless of (Smith’s) discomfort, all Albertans deserve medical freedom. Medical decisions are best left to doctors, parents, guardians and the youth themselves.”

Large worries these bills will encourage a wider spread of intolerance within Alberta, and will put youth at risk for body dysphoria, possible family violence, or homelessness by educators notifying parents when a student doesn’t want them to.

“There’s more rise in hate and unacceptance in the province and in Canada in general, and everyone is going to feel these policies,” said Large. “Even though, gratefully, portions of these policies won’t affect her, other things will, like the restriction on her access to sports.”

Nenshi, the Guild and Large all shared messages of hope and solidarity with gender diverse youth, speaking to the heightened need for community now more than ever.

“To the kids being targeted by this hate and misinformation, know that you are not alone. You are loved, and Alberta’s New Democrats will always stand with you,” said Nenshi. “Albertans deserve better.”

“This is indeed a frightening time, but history shows us that justice and compassion always prevail,” said the Prairie Pride Guild. “We are on the right side of history, and together, we will overcome.”

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