TESA jubilant gender identity, gender expression protection enumerated in Alberta law
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--Wednesday, March 11, 2015--ALBERTA
The Trans Equality Society of Alberta (TESA) applauds the government of Alberta's historic March 10 vote to enumerate explicit protection for gender identity and gender expression within the Alberta Bill of Rights.
“TESA is jubilant that the Alberta government has chosen to make trans* inclusion explicit in our laws. Until now, protection for gender identity and gender expression in Alberta was achieved through interpreting the existing ground of 'sex' in the Alberta Human Rights Act," says Jan Buterman, TESA president. "Without question, trans* Albertans will benefit by amending the Alberta Bill of Rights to state explicitly that people may not be discriminated against for their gender identity or gender expression. Before, many Albertans were unaware that trans* people have rights. Now, Albertans can easily find affirmation of those rights, in writing."
Clear, accessible information regarding rights is important for those facing discrimination. "When people believe they don't have rights, they may also believe they cannot challenge breaches of their rights," says Buterman, noting that while human rights laws often use terms such as 'everyone' and 'every person', many people do not seem to recognise that all people are included in those same terms. "Changes to the Alberta Bill of Rights means that Alberta now joins together with seven other provinces and territories that have 'gender identity' or 'gender identity and gender expression' explicitly enumerated within human rights legislation."
The amendments mean that Section 1 of the Alberta Bill of Rights will now read, "It is hereby recognized and declared that in Alberta there exist without discrimination by reason of race, national origin, colour, religion, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or gender expression, the following human rights and fundamental freedoms, ..." [emphasis added].
Bill 10, an Act to Amend the Alberta Bill of Rights to Protect our Children also amends the Education Act to explicitly include reference to gender identity and gender expression, as well as clarifying the right for all Alberta students to establish a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) in their own schools.
"Many trans* adults in Alberta find peer support groups valuable when dealing with discrimination in employment, housing, healthcare and other areas. Given the complexities of the school environment and how easy it is for the trans* child to be outed through school records, class lists, and other staples of the school environment, TESA strongly supports accessible peer support groups within Alberta schools," says Buterman.
At a recent public hearing regarding Bill 10, hosted by the Rocky Mountain Civil Liberties Association, TESA board member Catherine Brady spoke to the issues of trans* child and youth support, noting the need for the fundamental dignity of the person to be respected for people of all ages.
TESA also notes the legislative amendments made through Bill 10 are a refreshing change from issues facing trans* Canadians nationally. On February 25, majority members of a Senate standing committee chose to add an amendment to Bill C-279 that--if enacted--would result in the explicit exclusion of trans* Canadians from some federal facilities such as federal washrooms or change rooms, a move that denies trans* equality.
"Members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta who voted in favour of inclusion should be applauded," Buterman says. TESA notes that in particular, MLA Laurie Blakeman has persistently sought to have 'gender identity' and 'gender expression' added to provincial human rights legislation.
Buterman says, "Alberta's decision to ensure explicit inclusion shows that protecting gender identity and gender expression does not harm the rights or freedoms of any other Albertan. Albertans can take pride that our province is willing to embrace diversity, to stand against baseless fearmongering and hate. In Alberta, we can stand for the rights of all."
For further information, please see:
ALBERTA TRANS* RIGHTS
TESA -- request to clarify trans* rights in Alberta
http://www.tesaonline.org/amend-ahra.html
TESA -- An Ally's View: the importance of Gay-Straight Alliances for trans* students
http://www.tesaonline.org/an-allys-view-on-gsas.html
TESA -- Trans* Rights Across Canada
http://www.tesaonline.org/human-rights-across-canada.html
ALBERTA BILL 10
AB -- Bill 10 [original]
http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/bills/bill/legislature_28/session_3/20141117_bill-010.pdf
AB -- Bill 10 amendment A6 [to include "gender identity and gender expression"]
http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/bills/bill/legislature_28/session_3/20141117_am-010-A6.pdf
AB -- Bill of Rights [unamended]
http://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/Acts/A14.pdf
CANADA FEDERAL TRANS* RIGHTS
TESA -- Campaign: #transrights NOT #trashrights (Bill C-279)
http://www.tesaonline.org/nottrashrights.html
TESA -- TESA condemns federal trans-exclusionary amendment to Bill C-279
http://www.tesaonline.org/condemn-trans-segregation-amendment.html
More information about TESA can be found at www.tesaonline.org
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The Trans Equality Society of Alberta (TESA) applauds the government of Alberta's historic March 10 vote to enumerate explicit protection for gender identity and gender expression within the Alberta Bill of Rights.
“TESA is jubilant that the Alberta government has chosen to make trans* inclusion explicit in our laws. Until now, protection for gender identity and gender expression in Alberta was achieved through interpreting the existing ground of 'sex' in the Alberta Human Rights Act," says Jan Buterman, TESA president. "Without question, trans* Albertans will benefit by amending the Alberta Bill of Rights to state explicitly that people may not be discriminated against for their gender identity or gender expression. Before, many Albertans were unaware that trans* people have rights. Now, Albertans can easily find affirmation of those rights, in writing."
Clear, accessible information regarding rights is important for those facing discrimination. "When people believe they don't have rights, they may also believe they cannot challenge breaches of their rights," says Buterman, noting that while human rights laws often use terms such as 'everyone' and 'every person', many people do not seem to recognise that all people are included in those same terms. "Changes to the Alberta Bill of Rights means that Alberta now joins together with seven other provinces and territories that have 'gender identity' or 'gender identity and gender expression' explicitly enumerated within human rights legislation."
The amendments mean that Section 1 of the Alberta Bill of Rights will now read, "It is hereby recognized and declared that in Alberta there exist without discrimination by reason of race, national origin, colour, religion, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or gender expression, the following human rights and fundamental freedoms, ..." [emphasis added].
Bill 10, an Act to Amend the Alberta Bill of Rights to Protect our Children also amends the Education Act to explicitly include reference to gender identity and gender expression, as well as clarifying the right for all Alberta students to establish a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) in their own schools.
"Many trans* adults in Alberta find peer support groups valuable when dealing with discrimination in employment, housing, healthcare and other areas. Given the complexities of the school environment and how easy it is for the trans* child to be outed through school records, class lists, and other staples of the school environment, TESA strongly supports accessible peer support groups within Alberta schools," says Buterman.
At a recent public hearing regarding Bill 10, hosted by the Rocky Mountain Civil Liberties Association, TESA board member Catherine Brady spoke to the issues of trans* child and youth support, noting the need for the fundamental dignity of the person to be respected for people of all ages.
TESA also notes the legislative amendments made through Bill 10 are a refreshing change from issues facing trans* Canadians nationally. On February 25, majority members of a Senate standing committee chose to add an amendment to Bill C-279 that--if enacted--would result in the explicit exclusion of trans* Canadians from some federal facilities such as federal washrooms or change rooms, a move that denies trans* equality.
"Members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta who voted in favour of inclusion should be applauded," Buterman says. TESA notes that in particular, MLA Laurie Blakeman has persistently sought to have 'gender identity' and 'gender expression' added to provincial human rights legislation.
Buterman says, "Alberta's decision to ensure explicit inclusion shows that protecting gender identity and gender expression does not harm the rights or freedoms of any other Albertan. Albertans can take pride that our province is willing to embrace diversity, to stand against baseless fearmongering and hate. In Alberta, we can stand for the rights of all."
For further information, please see:
ALBERTA TRANS* RIGHTS
TESA -- request to clarify trans* rights in Alberta
http://www.tesaonline.org/amend-ahra.html
TESA -- An Ally's View: the importance of Gay-Straight Alliances for trans* students
http://www.tesaonline.org/an-allys-view-on-gsas.html
TESA -- Trans* Rights Across Canada
http://www.tesaonline.org/human-rights-across-canada.html
ALBERTA BILL 10
AB -- Bill 10 [original]
http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/bills/bill/legislature_28/session_3/20141117_bill-010.pdf
AB -- Bill 10 amendment A6 [to include "gender identity and gender expression"]
http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/bills/bill/legislature_28/session_3/20141117_am-010-A6.pdf
AB -- Bill of Rights [unamended]
http://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/Acts/A14.pdf
CANADA FEDERAL TRANS* RIGHTS
TESA -- Campaign: #transrights NOT #trashrights (Bill C-279)
http://www.tesaonline.org/nottrashrights.html
TESA -- TESA condemns federal trans-exclusionary amendment to Bill C-279
http://www.tesaonline.org/condemn-trans-segregation-amendment.html
More information about TESA can be found at www.tesaonline.org
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