FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2nd 2024, Calgary (Moh’kinsstis) – Calgary Pride condemns Alberta’s proposed anti-trans
youth policies.
All youth deserve the opportunity and freedom to explore their identity in safety, and with privacy
and respect. Calgary Pride is distraught by the anti-trans policies announced by Danielle Smith on
January 31st. These policies will not only restrict the rights and freedoms of transgendered youth,
but threaten to further endanger and alienate the Trans Community, which has been under attack
by the Alberta UCP over the past four years.
Trans rights are human rights. Whether it is in the classroom or in the doctor’s office,
gender-affirming care saves lives, and as long as these rights are actively denied and restricted, trans
youth will continue to be at risk. By initiating this legislation, the Alberta government continues to
fuel the already divisive and discriminatory public rhetoric against the Trans Community, and the
misconstrued intent of those processing their gender and sexual orientation.
We urge the Alberta UCP to invest resources into making education surrounding gender identity for
youth permissible. Rather than forcing the overburdened school system to facilitate mandatory
outings, investments into education surrounding gender identity would give youth and parents the
tools to safely navigate the nuances of gender identity.
We stand with EGALE and Skipping Stone Foundation in their efforts to bring legal action against the
Government of Alberta, should these discriminatory policies move forward. We stand with and will
work alongside our local and provincial 2SLGBTQIA+ partners seeking to actively oppose this unjust
legislation.
Through our children’s programming, such as Reading with Royalty, and our annual pride parade &
festival, Calgary Pride continues to celebrate the full spectrum of gender and sexual identity, and will
stand up for trans youth, and their ability to freely, proudly, and loudly explore and express who
they are.
Media Contact:
Name: Anna Kinderwater (she/her/they)
Title: Manager of Communications
Organization: Calgary Pride
Email: anna@calgarypride.ca
Socials:
@calgarypride
#CalgaryPride #WeAreCalgaryPride
About Calgary Pride
Calgary Pride is a volunteer-led, non-profit organization. Our mandate is to advance visibility and inclusion for Calgary’s gender and sexually diverse communities; to do this, we endeavor to build strong community partnerships, implement ongoing programs like Reading with Royalty, Queerly Festive, Evolve: Pride Amplified, and Calgary’s premier celebration of diversity, Calgary Pride Week, Parade & Festival.
We thank the Indigenous communities of Turtle Island for both the historic and ongoing stewardship and protection of the land we collectively inhabit today. Many nations and people, Indigenous and non, are fortunate to call Moh’kinsstis and Treaty 7 territory our home. Acknowledging the land is Indigenous protocol, which we honor as a step towards reconciliation and fulfilling our responsibilities as Treaty people. Working alongside all Nations, Indigenous and non, we strive to create safe spaces where everyone can live openly and authentically.
