Red Deer Queer Community Association vows to stand with others legally challenging the UCP government's policy to block access to transgender therapy and surgery for youth.
On Thursday, the government introduced a Health Statutes Amendment Act in the Legislature to prevent puberty blockers and hormone therapies for children aged 15 and under, except for those who have already commenced treatment. Those services would still be allowed for minors aged 16 and 17 with parental, physician and psychologist approval. Amendments would also prohibit regulated health professionals from performing sex reassignment surgeries on minors.
Egale Canada and Skipping Stone Foundation quickly condemned the legislation as discriminatory and committed to legal action to stand up for the rights, safety and freedoms of 2SLGBTQI+ young people in Alberta.
Stephanie Hodgkins, chairperson of Red Deer Queer Community Association, said the association absolutely supports the challenge.
"We had always hoped that we could persuade the UCP to reconsider. To see them literally put it through the moment they get back in session was very disappointing," Hodgkins said.
She said the legislation is going to have a huge impact on the mental health of young people in the community.
"(The UCP) are pushing their own agenda, regardless of what the impact is.
"We know that there's lots of scared and anxious young people in our community right now. We are fighting for them," Hodgkins said.
The UCP government said the new policies support minors who identify as transgender so they can make informed potentially life-altering decisions as adults.
“It is so important that all youth can enter adulthood equipped to make adult decisions. In order to do that, we need to preserve their ability to make those decisions, and that’s what we’re doing. The changes we’re introducing are founded on compassion and science, both of which are vital for the development of youth throughout a time that can be difficult and confusing," said Premier Danielle Smith, in a statement.
In the same government statement, Montreal endocrinologist Dr. Roy Eappean said the policies provide guardrails to ensure that minors have the time, support and resources needed to make informed decisions as adults and align with the latest systematic reviews in the United Kingdom, Finland, Sweden and other leading jurisdictions.
The queer association said the legislation will harm the group it was meant to protect.
"We at the Red Deer Queer Community Association are disappointed at how much people can hate. The fact that this harm will be done in the name of questionable science is all the more reason to grieve.
"We stand strong with our transgender community members. You are seen, you are wanted, you are welcome here. There are events every week where you can feel safe and be yourself. You are not alone."
A statement from the AMA said the proposed changes actually impinge on the rights of parents to make medical decisions for their children "whom they know the best."
The UCP also introduced legislation restricting pronoun use in schools, sexual health education, and sports participation for transgender athletes.
Naheed Nenshi, Leader of Alberta’s New Democrats, said the government's anti-trans legislation is not what Albertans are asking for.
"As a politician I will tell you that I have been in every corner of this province these last four months. We’ve talked to Albertans of every background and I will tell you that punching down on trans kids does not appear in the Top 50 of the things Albertans are concerned about," Nenshi said in a statement.
He said the "callous and cruel act" doesn't help anyone except Danielle Smith at her leadership review.
Public Interest Alberta’s executive director Bradley Lafortune said the UCP is stooping lower than ever with its "despicable legislation."
"They’re scapegoating vulnerable Albertans to kick up a smokescreen of controversy to cover their regressive and unpopular agenda of cuts, deregulation, and privatization. This fear-mongering distraction is just the latest in the UCP’s playbook of dirty tricks," Lafortune said in a statement.
