Growing transphobia and hate must be addressed

HALIFAX – Today is National Child Day and Transgender Day of Remembrance. The last year has been especially difficult for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community with increasing and concerning examples of hatred and transphobia in local communities and schools.

“We’ve seen attacks on the 2SLGBTQIA+ community increase this year, and unfortunately many of these have involved queer and trans youth in and around our schools and education system,” said 2SLGBTQIA+ Affairs spokesperson Lisa Lachance. “Today is an important opportunity to recommit to the rights of children and youth across our province to have access to a safe and supportive education.”

To address these issues the Houston government should:

• unequivocally condemn transphobia and hate;
• immediately announce that MSI will cover gender-affirming care as set out in the World Professional Association for Transgender Health Standards of Care 8;
• ensure that schools have the resources needed to create truly safe schools; and
• create a Minister of 2SLGBTQIA+ issues and an Action Plan for Nova Scotia.

Lachance hosted a flag-raising of the Transgender Pride flag at Province House this morning.

National Child Day is a day to acknowledge the importance of children’s rights and our commitment to upholding them. Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance to honour the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost due to transphobia and acts of anti-transgender violence.

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