A trans Calgarian’s take on Alberta’s proposed gender policies

Amid the criticism of Alberta’s proposed gender identity policies, a transgender woman who is a also parent of two, says the new rules have the right intention and direction.

The Alberta government says changes to the legislation surrounding trans youth and gender identity will come in the fall.

Tiffany Gillis was one of those consulted by Premier Danielle Smith in November 2023 during the drafting stage of the policies.

“I think a lot of people don’t trust the motivation of it you know personally I do believe it is about protecting kids,” she told CityNews.

“It’s a data draft at that time, which was largely similar to what was released. We just met at her office and we went through kind of each point on the list and what their rationalizations were and the opportunity to give my feedback as well.”

Gillis feels parental consent needed to change names and pronouns at school for kids under 15 is a much needed part of the new policy.

“The things about notification and consent for changes in school, you know, I’m 100 per cent supportive of,” she said.

“As a parent, I want to know what my kids are doing so that I can support them.”

As for limiting the age for top and bottom gender reassignment surgeries to over 17 and puberty blockers and hormone therapy for over 15, Gillis says this is the tougher part of the policies.

“I also personally know the stories of a couple of people that transitioned young and … felt as though … they didn’t get proper psychological care before that and they weren’t ready to make that decision, and they’ve come to regret it later in life,” she said.

“So … I think there’s harm also in treating earlier.”

Gillis believes there might be room for more constructive discussion around the proposal but the rules are on point.