SUNDRE - Jason Nixon, a Sundre-area MLA and cabinet minister, has responded to a call for United Conservative Party MLAs to be banned from Pride events this summer over the party's proposed legislation many say is anti-trans.
“The government of Alberta stands against all forms of discrimination,” Nixon told the Albertan. “At their core, the changes we have introduced are about bringing in balance and compassion.
“We want to make sure parents have the opportunity to be active in the lives of their children, and that we recognize the importance of protecting children’s rights to make adult decisions when they’re adults.”
Nixon’s comments came after the Calgary-based Queer Citizens United organization, representing 14 groups provincewide, announced that members of Smith’s caucus are not welcome to attend Pride events this summer.
The organization said the ban is in response to recent UCP proposed legislation regarding transgender and queer Albertans.
The Smith government proposes that students 15 and younger must have consent from their parents to change their preferred names or pronouns at school. For those 16 and 17, their parents must be notified.
The UCP’s sweeping changes include the banning of top and bottom gender reassignment surgeries for minors aged 17 and under. If the policy becomes law the new rules will forbid access to puberty blockers and hormone therapy for gender reassignment or affirmation for youth 15 years of age and under, except for those already undergoing treatment.
Proposals also include banning transgender female athletes from participating in competitive women’s sports; forcing them to play in special and separate gender-neutral or co-ed divisions.
MLA Lizette Tejada, provincial NDP critic for LGBTQ+ issues, reportedly said Pride groups are justified in excluding UCP MLAs.
“We have a government proposing policies that will cause active harm,” Tejada said.
Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills UCP MLA Nathan Cooper did not immediately respond to request for comment.
Meanwhile, the Alberta NDP commemorated the beginning of June as Pride month by dropping a three-storey Pride flag on the Alberta legislature grounds on Wednesday.
