November 20th is the Transgender Day of Remembrance, first observed on this day in 1999 to memorialize Rita Hester and Chenelle Pickett, both transgender African American women who were murdered in Boston in the 1990s. Transgender people continue to be subjected to some of the highest rates of sexual harassment and violence in Canada and around the world. This, coupled with the continued growth of hate speech targeting members of 2SLGBTQIA++ communities and often fueled by leaders in public office for political gain, is not only disturbing, but is unacceptable and dangerous. In the past year, the Government of Alberta has passed three pieces of legislation that are direct attacks on the rights and freedoms of queer people: Bill 26 (which restricts access to gender-affirming healthcare for minors), Bill 27 (which restricts the rights of youth to use their chosen name and pronouns in school without parental consent), and Bill 29 (which requires female athletes to confirm their sex at birth in order to be eligible to participate in female-only sports divisions). The passage of these Bills into law drives home the urgency of supporting and defending transgender rights for members of our Faculty Association and the University community as a whole. At the time of finalizing this statement (November 17th), it is expected the Government of Alberta will introduce Bill 9, the “Protecting Alberta’s Children Statutes Amendment Act today to override transgender rights in this province and circumvent legal challenges to Bills 26, 27, and 29 by invoking the notwithstanding clause again. ULFA stands with and in support of the transgender members of our Faculty Association and University community, condemning this sweeping attack on trans rights in this Province, and recognizing our shared responsibility in the struggle to create a safe, inclusive, and equitable campus and society for all.
Please read more and consider signing a petition circulated by TransAction Alberta Here:
Please join a campus event for the TDOR on Thursday, doors open at 2, event begins at 3, organized by Q-Space and All My Relations Indigenous Students’ Association in TH241 (Turcotte Hall). More information is available here:
There is a Trans Awareness Week Webinar on Wednesday, November 19th at Noon, “Don’t Get Mad, Get Organized: A Trans Awareness Week Webinar featuring the Alberta organizer and drag queen, Karla Marx. To register, please follow this link:
Resources and Further Information Can be Found Here:
National Center for Transgender Equality
If you or someone you know is looking for help, support is available through the Trans Lifeline:
https://translifeline.org/
(877) 330-6366
