Hundreds protest Alberta’s transgender policies at legislature

Hundreds of people rallied at the legislative grounds in Edmonton on Sunday to voice their opposition with UCP policies concerning trans youth and gender-affirming care.

It was the third rally held in Alberta this weekend after similar ones in Edmonton and Calgary on Saturday.

“We want Danielle Smith to hear us. We want the UCP to hear us. We want those who support this archaic policy to hear us,” said rally organizer Amy Mendenhall.

Smith announced earlier this week her plans to change rules for transgender children in Alberta, including a ban on gender reassignment surgery for those 17 and under; and no puberty blockers or hormone therapies for the purposes of such surgery for anyone 15 and under.

Parental consent would be required for students 15 and under who want to change their names or pronouns at school. Students aged 16 and 17 would not need consent, but their parents would have to be notified.

And the province would clamp down on transgender female athletes competing in women’s and girls’ sports.

Smith said the changes are to protect children from the consequences of choices they may later regret and to preserve the role of parents in their lives.

Participants at Sunday’s rally said youth will be put at risk if the legislation passes.

“I really believe that schools provide safe spaces for those that don’t have them elsewhere and I think by bringing in these policies, we risk harm to children that are already in a dangerous position,” Nancy Dodsworth said.

“I don’t believe that this is supportive. So we need to look at ways that actually support our kids and understand and hear what they’re saying.”

Patricia Zentilli, who also attended the rally, said they would consider leaving the province if the legislation goes through.

“I will likely move,” Zentilli said “Yeah. If I could move today I would.”

A smaller group showed up to the rally Sunday with a different purpose. The members, who identify as being in the trans community, said they support the premier’s new legislation.

On Saturday, 47 groups, organizations and businesses signed a joint statement against Alberta’s new trans policy, calling for an immediate halt.

The premier said earlier this week that implementation of the policy won’t take place until fall.

–With files from The Canadian Press