AUFA statement on Alberta's proposed anti-trans legislation

The Athabasca University Faculty Association condemns the recent policy proposals by the Alberta government which is a direct attack on the rights of Two-Spirit, transgender, non-binary, and gender non-confirming (2STNBGC) youths. As a union, our duty is a commitment to equity for all members, which includes fairness and justice in the way they are treated. As a faculty association, we are dedicated to the intellectual pursuit and the protection of academic freedom.

The recent policy proposals use the guise of parental rights to rob youths of their own right to live their lives peacefully and safely. It seeks to out people without their permission, deny proven medical treatments like puberty blockers, and exclude youths from engaging in healthy community activities like sports and athletics. It is also anti-intellectual, erasing decades of academic work to instead embrace a current moral panic, and hide this attempted social erasure behind a false veneer of concern. The creation and enforcement of these laws has encouraged violence against 2STNBGC youths, most recently in the death of Nex Benedict, who died at the hands of classmates after similar laws were proposed in Oklahoma.   

The Alberta government is our employer, and it is attacking our children.

AUFA calls upon all interested members to sign the Trans Action Alberta petition, write their political leaders to express their condemnation of these policies, and to attend rallies in their communities. In addition, please watch our provincial organization CAFA, for their forthcoming statement.

Additional links:

Trans Rights Yeg for attending rallies in Edmonton.

Queer Citizens United for attending rallies in Calgary.

Alberta Federation Labour statement.

Write your Members of the Legislative Assembly:

Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta

Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education

Glenn Van Dijken, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Athabasca-Westlock-Barrhead