13 Sep The Trampling of Trans Rights in Canada Is Not a Distraction
I’m at my wit’s end. If I hear one more politician or pundit or “ally” say that human rights violations are a distraction from bigger issues, like housing and the cost of living, I may explode. But because it is the human rights of transgender Canadians, it’s okay, I guess?
Listen, everyone who concede the point that bans on affirming trans youth–which means using the correct name and pronouns–are wildly popular. Bans on same-sex marriage were also wildly popular. It’s a good thing that human rights aren’t a popularity contest, otherwise progress would never be made.
Listen, politician who would rather change the channel to other issues for fear of alienating the vote of certain “cultural communities” (their term, not mine). There are ways of explaining these issues. British Columbia has done it quite successfully. It isn’t new Canadians who are opposed to SOGI education and affirmation in B.C. It is white Canadians who attempt to use “cultural communities” as a shield.
And now! Because “progressives” keep conceding the point and are attempting to change the channel, Saskatchewan is planning to invoke the notwithstanding clause to suspend the Charter rights of transgender youth.
This is not a “culture war”. This is an attack on the fundamental human rights of Canadians.
This is on you each time you centre non-transgender people in these discussions, instead focusing on other groups who may be harmed. This is on all of you who would rather turn the channel to other issues. You are letting this happen.
And that’s all I’m going to say about this right now.
The featured image is a winkled transgender flag.
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