New Alberta transgender bills dangerous and isolating, says Medicine Hat advocate

“Many people will not see themselves in Alberta anymore,” said Kim Large, who has been outspoken about the new laws first proposed by Premier Danielle Smith earlier this year.

The government says a trio of bills affecting transgender people in Alberta are necessary to protect children and female athletes.

The Opposition NDP says they will put already vulnerable people at further risk.

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The new rules in the Education Amendment Act, the Health Statutes Amendment Act and the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act were first revealed by Smith in January.

The changes include requiring children under 16 to have parental consent if they want to change their names or pronouns at school.

Parents would also be required to opt-in for their child to participate in education about gender identity, sexual orientation or human sexuality.

One bill will prohibit doctors from treating those under 16 seeking transgender treatments, such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy.

The third bill will ban transgender athletes from competing in female amateur sports and require school and organizations to report eligibility complaints.

Two of the bills — the education and sport legislation — will come into effect in fall 2025, while the health statutes act is anticipated to roll out over the coming months, according to the Alberta government.

Large said she met with Smith in August to raise concerns, without much success.

Kim Large says Premier Danielle Smith didn’t listen to her concerns. Bob Schneider/CHAT News

“She did not come to that meeting to engage fully or have meaningful engagement,” Large told CHAT News on Tuesday.

“She came to debate parents of a trans child. So, that unfortunately, I was not heard there in that meeting at all.”

The premier’s office has yet to respond to a request for comment.

Large said conversations with her transgender daughter are difficult in the face of the new legislation.

“She’s got questions about sport: ‘am I going to be able to play sports?’ Because that’s one of the things is that trans women and girls will be not allowed to participate in sport or potentially in even mandatory PE classes in school,” Large said.

“She’s already got concerns about certain friends and things that, you know, aren’t out or that maybe aren’t going to have support. And that weighs heavily on her mind as well.”

Proponents of the legislation, including Parents and Kids Together, say it allows for parents to continue playing an active role in the lives of their children.

“We believe all children are best protected when their parents are involved in their medical decisions,” the organization says.

A Canadian Civil Liberties Association official said he was “disheartened” the trans laws were passed.

“Alarmingly the advice of experts and perspectives of affected communities were ignored in this process,” said CCLA equality program director Harini Sivalingam.

Transgender advocates say the new Alberta legislation is dangerous. File Photo/CHAT News

“This is a dark time for freedom in Alberta. The passage of these intrusive laws will severely erode the liberty of individuals and families to make deeply personal decisions about their lives.”

Two LGBTQ+ advocate organizations — Egale Canada and Skipping Stone Foundation — say they plan to file a legal challenge that, Large said, could end up at the Supreme Court of Canada.

While some families with transgender youth may decide to back off advocacy or move, Large said her family isn’t giving up.

“Us, we’re not going anywhere,” Large said.

“We live out loud and we are going to stay and be the change here.”

— with files from The Canadian Press

by Eli J. Ridder

New Alberta transgender bills dangerous and isolating, says Medicine Hat advocate

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