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By Eli J. Ridder

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat Pride group signs open letter calling on federal leaders to protect trans rights

Mar 31, 2025 | 11:08 AM

A Medicine Hat-area Pride group has signed an open letter calling on Canada’s federal leaders to protect transgender and queer people across the country.

“We have been a global leader and trailblazer on queer and trans issues,” said the letter, published Monday for International Transgender Day of Visibility.

“Now, the world has entered an alarming period of backlash to which Canada is not immune. We can’t allow this wave of hate to roll back the progress we have achieved.”

The Prairie Pride Guild of Medicine Hat and District is one of over 200 groups, organizations and churches to sign the letter calling on federal party leaders to “remain steadfast in the face of regression” amid renewed pressure.

“With the ongoing threats to our sovereignty from President Donald Trump, it’s essential that we protect everything we value as Canadians, including the human rights of our queer and trans neighbours,” reads the letter, in part.

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IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat Pride group signs open letter calling on federal leaders to protect trans rights

Mar 31, 2025

The Medicine Hat Pride group is hosting an event for transgender visibility day Monday evening at Kin Coulee Park. The “community-driven stroll through the park” runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., according to an event page.

Hate crimes targeting sexual orientation increased 69 per cent in 2023 from the year prior, according to Statistics Canada data. Since 2016, Canada has experienced a 388 per cent increase in hate crimes targeting trans and queer people.

In the open letter Monday, the signatories call on the federal leaders to pledge to follow through on three items in the case they form government after the 2025 national election.

The first pledge includes opposing “any attempt to restrict or reverse Canadian human rights victories, including marriage equality, Canada’s conversion therapy ban, and transgender rights legislation.”

Signees must also “maintain and advance Canada’s role as a global leader on equality and human rights for queer and trans people around the world, including refugees.”

Finally, any leader who signs off pledges to support transgender and queer civil society sector through funding and other ways as “a critical vehicle to advance freedom, equality and human rights.”