TESA RESPONDS TO PROPOSED TRANSGENDER POLICY CHANGES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Thursday, October 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

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