People take part in the 2024 Winnipeg Pride Parade, on June 2. Many 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians are in their teens. Despite this, Pride — and the stories about it — typically centre adults.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Daniel Crump
Given the increase in anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate and hostility, queer youth need more support and allyship. Here are 10 ways to support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth this Pride Month.
Although medical doctors may be the first point of contact for children exploring their gender identity, many other professions can provide gender-affirming care, such as psychologists, social workers, teachers, counsellors and recreational coaches.
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Gender fluidity and detransition deserve nuanced understanding. Polarization that presents detransitioners as either ‘misinformation’ or victims of ‘gender ideology’ hurts all gender-diverse people.
Children are often allowed to freely explore their identities in early childhood services. But when they get to school, they are categorised as ‘boys’ or ‘girls’.
People protest Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s proposed youth transgender policies as she appears at an event in Ottawa on Feb. 5, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle
On both sides of the transgender care debate, what is presented as ‘fact’ distorts real complexities of gender-affirming health care, leaving many in the dark about what is really at stake.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith answers questions at a news conference in Calgary on Feb. 1, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s anti-trans policies are likely meant to satisfy her base, but her government will now have to go head-to-head with the evidence in future legal battles.
The government has launched a consultation on the plans.
People protesting against inclusive sexual orientation and gender-identity policies in schools are seen next to protestors supporting such policies in Saskatoon, Sask. on Sept. 20, 2023.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
In the wake of transphobic protests, the ‘rights’ of parents are being falsely positioned in opposition to the rights of transgender and non-binary children rather than focusing on supporting families.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe speaks to the media at the Saskatchewan legislature in Regina. His government plans to invoke the notwithstanding clause to override a judge’s injunction and introduce legislation about the province’s pronoun policy in school.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
The only solution to the ominous threats posed by the increasing use of the notwithstanding clause is to amend Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Teaching sex and gender more accurately can counter gender stereotypes and encourage all students to study STEM.
Iurii Krasilnikov/iStock via Getty Images Plus
‘Don’t Say Gay’ bills claim to use science to justify a binary definition of sex based on certain traits. But the biology of sex and gender is not so simple.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, centre, speaks to media during the closing news conference at the Council of the Federation of Canada’s premiers in Winnipeg in July.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
Elected officials must consider relevant research and legal context when shaping education policies. Otherwise, they risk destabilizing classrooms and harming students.
Trans teens living in a supportive family environment have a lower risk of attempting suicide or running away from home.
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Because of ethical considerations, there are no clinical trials comparing the effects of hormone therapy to conversion therapy on trans youths. But a set of recent studies tease out cause and effect.
Trans rights are under attack in the U.S. Here, Jamiyah Morrison, 19, of Riverdale, Md., left, has rainbow makeup touched up by Niaomi Moshier, 21, while attending Transgender Day of Visibility rally in March in Washington, D.C.
(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Vinita Srivastava, The Conversation and Boké Saisi, The Conversation
This year, there are more than 400 active anti-trans bills across the U.S. What do things look like in Canada? Are we a safe haven or are we following those same trends?
A pride flag flies in front of the temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City during a 2015 protest against church policy toward same-sex couples.
George Frey/Getty Images
Conservative rhetoric about ‘parent rights’ that marginalizes LGBTQ+ positive sex education erases the complexity of parent identities and denies possibilities for richer school experiences.
Gender-affirming care and social support can help trans youth thrive.
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Trans young people flourish with support from family, friends, and the broader community. Future commentary about trans young people’s rights needs to take this into account.
Access to transgender medical care has been under attack in many places in the U.S., and protesters, like those seen here in Texas, are pushing back.
Erich Schlegel/AP Images for Human Rights Campaign
Across the US, politicians, activists and transgender people are fighting over the right to access transgender medical care. Rarely is the care itself actually discussed. This is that discussion.