Muskoka Pride calls on Education Minister to reverse proposed changes on gender pronouns
Several Pride organizations across the province have written to the Premier and Minister of Education calling on the province to provide a safer community for 2SLGBTQ+ people.
Locally, Muskoka Pride wrote to Stephen Lecce in opposition to the proposed changes to education policy, making it mandatory for youth under 16 to have parental consent to use their preferred gender pronouns/identity.
Merv Taylor, president of Muskoka Pride says “We believe discrimination and bigotry can be fought through visibility, and positive inclusion, of the 2SLGBTQ+ community that makes queer people visible within the greater society. In meeting these objectives, we feel it is essential to speak out in opposition to the proposed changes to education policy, making it mandatory for youth under 16 to have parental consent to use their preferred gender pronouns/identity,” he says.
Muskoka Pride says this change will have a negative impact on the mental health of 2SLGBTQ+ youth, particularly trans youth. We must protect the rights of youth by preventing nonconsensual disclosure of their gender identity, even to their parents. “Don’t lose sight of the possibility the home may not be a safe space for many 2SLGBTQ+ youth. Forcing them to “come out” could cause irreparable harm or lead to suicide,” he said.
