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Hundreds of Calgary students staged a walkout on Wednesday in protest over the province’s proposed transgender policies.
According to the Canadian Press, the protests began at 10am on Wednesday. Students walked out of the classroom to take part in the demonstrations against the policies that were announced by Premier Danielle Smith last week.
Students from Calgary’s Western Canada, Crescent Heights, William Aberhart and Henry Wise Wood schools joined in the protests, reports CTV News Calgary. The report also added that “teens in Okotoks, Airdie, Cochrane, Lethbridge, Edmonton and Leduc”, joined the protests.
The policies, which is proposed for fall, will affect transgender and non-binary youth and adults. Among the measures proposed includes “puberty blockers and hormone therapies for gender affirmation will not be permitted for children aged 15 and below.”
“Parental notification and consent will be required for a school to alter the name or pronouns of any child under age 15. Students who are 16 or 17 won’t need permission but schools will need to let their parents know first. All third-party teaching materials on gender identity, sexual orientation or sexuality will need to be approved in advance by the education ministry.” Also, “transgender women will be banned from competing in women’s sports leagues.”
During the protests, Fletcher Morrison, a transgender boy in Grade 11, told the media that it’s important that his and others’ rights are respected at their schools. He said “I just want everyone to feel safe in school. I can see it getting worse. I am just worried for the safety of youth.”
Morrison, 16, reportedly transitioned three years ago with support from family and friends.
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