Hatters rally outside city hall in February in support of transgender youth. Critics are coming out in droves to condemn the provincial government's use of the notwithstanding clause this week to force through three anti-trans laws.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
The Prairie Pride Guild of Medicine Hat & District released a statement criticizing Premier Danielle Smith and her government’s use of the notwithstanding clause three times on Tuesday to invoke bills legislating transgender youth.
The bills, which now cannot be struck down by a court based on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Alberta Bill of Rights, or the Alberta Human Rights Act, override the rights of transgender youth and transgender Albertans, says Prairie Pride president Sterling Hyde.
“We are deeply disappointed that the government has chosen to bypass the court system and ignore the Charter rights of trans individuals,” said Hyde. “This move is a clear abuse of power and undermines the principles of equality and justice that we hold dear.”
He affirmed that this move is “an attack on (transgender people’s) dignity and humanity” and reiterated the guild’s commitment to inclusivity and respect of all individuals.
The Prairie Pride Guild calls on the government to reconsider the decision and work to create a safe environment for all trans people and to uphold their rights as enshrined in the Charter. It further encourages residents to email their MLAs, CCing Naheed Nenshi as the Leader of the Opposition Party, to “express their displeasure at this display of political overreach,” said Hyde.
A list of talking points to aid in constructing said email is available online at prairieprideguild.com.
Today is also Trans Day of Remembrance, an annual observance to honour all those transgender people whose lives were lost to anti-transgender violence. The guild is hosting a program tonight at the Medicine Hat Public Library beginning at 6 p.m., to which all are welcome.
