Trans Equality Society of Alberta
  • About
    • Land & Indigenous Peoples' Acknowledgement
    • TESA Bylaws
  • Newsroom
    • TESA Responds to Proposed Transgender Policy Changes
    • TESA Responds to Premier Smith Excluding Us From Transgender Policy Discussions
    • TESA Responds to Premier Smith's Preserving Choice for Children and Youth Video
    • Advocates push for gender surgery funding within Alberta amid years-long backlog in Montreal​
    • TESA responds to anti-trans protests at Calgary pool
    • TESA responds to the People's Party of Canada Statement
    • No One Right Is More Important Than Another: TESA Op-ed
    • TESA responds to the upcoming debate of Bill 207: Conscience Rights (Health Care Providers) Protection Act
    • TESA on Bill 207 Presentation to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta Committee on Private Bills & Private Members' Public Bills
    • TESA acknowledges the 20th Anniversary of TDOR
    • TESA on the 20th Anniversary of TDOR - CTV Morning Live Edmonton
    • TESA on Bill 207 - Alberta Primetime
    • TESA on Bill 207 - Ryan Jesperson Show
    • TESA on Bill 207 - Global Edmonton Interview
    • TESA on Bill 207 - CBC Interview
    • TESA responds to tabling of Bill 207: Conscience Rights (Health Care Providers) Protection Act
    • TESA supports federal trans rights bill
    • Alberta sees increased trans visibility
    • Alberta clarifies trans inclusion
    • TESA supports AHRA enumeration
    • Alberta to raise flag for TDOR
    • Students families staff need explicit inclusion
    • Trans pride flag raising a first for Alberta
    • Alberta capital proclaims TDOV
    • AB enumerates gender identity and expression
    • Federal equality campaign
    • Condemn trans segregation amendment
    • Hopeful ID rules signal positive change
    • Known issues ignored
    • Bill C-36 magnifies trans danger
    • Object to current VSA amendment
    • Support for birth reg reform
    • Inaugural State of Trans report
    • Second inclusive school board
    • Cities of Calgary and Edmonton support
    • Bill C-279 passes
    • Response to GRS relisting
    • Airline regulation change
    • Inclusive schools policy
    • Bill C-389 dies
    • Transsexuals not consulted
    • Funding cut review request
    • New Alberta trans group
  • Letters & Statements
    • TESA Congratulates Desjarlais and Boissonnault in their Election Victories
    • TESA Motions for Concurrence – Bill 207 Letter to Premier Kenney
    • TESA on Bill 207 Presentation to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta Committee on Private Bills & Private Members' Public Bills
    • TESA letter to the Standing Committee Members on Private Bills and Private Members' Public Bills
    • TESA's statement for the Stop Bill 207! Rally
    • TESA Against Conscience Rights Bill Letter to Premier Kenney
    • Amend AHRA
    • Registration reform
    • Accessing Canadian passports
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    • Outstanding concerns
    • Accessing routine healthcare
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Who are we?

TESA's mission is to be a witness to and a voice for matters concerning trans Albertans.

TESA was formed in the hopes that building a traditional non-profit advocacy group would open opportunities for formal engagement with authorities who otherwise overlook the unique needs of the larger trans community.

What do we do?

TESA engages in advocacy and education in three primary areas: government, outreach, and community development.

Government & Institutions:
  • policy analysis
  • letter writing
  • meetings and presentations

Education & Outreach:
  • media interviews
  • invited talks, presentations, and panels
  • invited consultation

Community Development:
  • fact sheets
  • workshops
  • community consultation
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TESA RESPONDS TO PROPOSED TRANSGENDER POLICY CHANGES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Thursday, Ocotber 31, 2024 -- ALBERTA

TESA RESPONDS PROPOSED TRANSGENDER POLICY CHANGES
 
The Trans Equality Society of Alberta (TESA), has been a voice and witness for all matters concerning trans Albertans since 2009 and we are aware that trans Albertans are very concerned about how these proposed changes will impact them.
 
In February, when Alberta Premier Danielle Smith first announced that the government was bringing in proposed Transgender Policy changes, she framed these policies as the government protecting children from harm, telling the media that she was “sympathetic to parents who want to preserve the innocence of their kids for as long as they can.”

Premier Smith indicated those policies will, among other changes, ban gender reassignment surgery for those aged under 17, limit hormone therapy for children aged 15 and under, require parental pronoun change reporting in schools, and restrict sports participation for transgender athletes.

Last week, Government House Leader Joseph Schow said this sitting could see 13 government bills that aim to answer demands Smith has been hearing from Albertans at party town halls, local events and rodeos, and from chambers of commerce. He stated "I think these bills represent what we're hearing from Albertans.” Minister Schow also said the changes to transgender policy will also be an early priority, with policy changes to be spread across three different bills.

Today’s Order Paper lists Bill 26 (Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2024), Bill 27 (Education Amendment Act, 2024) and Bill 29 (Fairness and Safety in Sport Act), for introduction, which appear to algin with Minister Schow’s comments from last week.

“TESA has been engaged and had conversations with several Alberta governments; including this one. However, we have had NO conversations with the UCP government regarding anything that the government is said to be tabling later today”, said TESA President, April Friesen. “TESA will be watching to see what the government introduces in the Alberta Legislature and will be reviewing what is stated so that we can make additional comments.”


More information about TESA can be found at 
https://www.tesaonline.org

-- 30 --
TESA Released the Statement Below on August 2, 2024

Image: 'Alberta Flag' by abdallahh
https://www.flickr.com/photos/husseinabdallah/4779001922/
Licensed under CC by 2.0
Image cropped and 23% transparency applied.
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TESA Congratulates Desjarlais and Boissonnault in their Election Victories

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​​On the confirmation of election results of the latest federal election, the Board of Directors and Members of the Trans Equality Society of Alberta (TESA), would like to formally congratulate both Blake Desjarlais and Randy Boissonnault in their election victories in Edmonton Griesbach and Edmonton Centre.
​
Blake is the first openly two-spirit individual to have been elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) in Canada.

When Randy was last an MP, he was an advisor on LGBTQ2 issues to Prime Minister Trudeau.

​We know both of them will be great representatives for 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians.
 
TESA has, and remains to be, a Witness and Voice for the Transgender community in Alberta.  We will continue the fight for education and representation of our community in this country. 


UPDATED: Trans Patient Care Guide For health care professionals

PictureClick on the photo above to view the document.
Trans patients, just as any other patient, may have a variety of health care needs that requires the attention of a number of professionals.

​TESA originally created this document in 2011, in conjunction with graduate student members of a Community Service Learning (CSL)-based course at the University of Alberta. TESA updated this document in November 2020.


​Note: The .pdf version posted here is for on-line distribution only. These resources are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute legal or medical advice. If you are a trans person facing problems with accessing health care from Alberta health professionals, please contact the appropriate governing body for that profession. 

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​Why should you join TESA

Promoting equity and social justice for our members and the community at large is a significant undertaking. TESA appreciates the efforts of its many supporters, and can always use motivated individuals to help with our activities.
​

​Who should join TESA?

TESA welcome members who fall under the transgender umbrella, as well as allies and other supports.
Click here to join TESA


​How can I get involved?

  • Become informed. Visit our links and learn more about the issues facing trans Albertans, as well as the resources available to them.
  • Connect with others. Check out our Facebook page and our Twitter posts.
  • Volunteer with TESA.
Click here to Donate to TESA


​How can I get more information about TESA?

Please feel free to contact us by e-mail us or letter, or visit us on Facebook or Twitter.

Trans Equality Society of Alberta
PO Box 2053 Edmonton Main

Edmonton  AB  T5J 2P4

TRANS EQUALITY SOCIETY of ALBERTA  |  PO Box 2053 Edmonton Main  |  Edmonton  |  Alberta  |  T5J 2P4