4 days ago
Quebec committee charged with analyzing gender identity issues releases lengthy report
A Quebec committee tasked with advising the government on gender identity issues has penned a 280-page report addressing various matters tied to the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
The report, which is extensive in scope, largely recommends further study and consultation concerning the support and care given to trans people.
Among its concrete recommendations, however, is a suggestion that schools in Quebec maintain gendered bathrooms, but also add gender-neutral bathrooms.
The head of the committee, Diane Lavallée, former president of the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ) and the Conseil du statut de la femme, said the committee met with more than 200 people before publishing its report.
"It's important for us that Quebec continues to fight against discrimination and intimidation against trans or non-binary people and respect their rights and their needs, in health matters, notably," she said.
"This also has to be done respecting the legitimate concerns of all other groups, notably parents and women."
Even before its publication, the report was mired in controversy. When Quebec's family minister unveiled the committee in 2023, 2SLGBTQ+ groups decried the fact that none of the three committee members were members of the community.
A technical briefing at which the committee was scheduled to present the results of their report was delayed on Friday as trans protesters holding a banner that said "say it to our face" tried to attend but were barred.
Police in Quebec City, where the event was taking place, escorted the protesters from the building.
The lengthy report weighed in on subjects as diverse as sports and the presence of trans people in prisons, noting, in many cases, the need for further study of contentious issues.
The committee also issued suggestions, including supporting the right for a trans person to be imprisoned in a prison corresponding with their gender identity with the caveat that a panel agrees their transition is genuine and it is suitable for them and for the people with whom they would be imprisoned.
On the issue of women in sports, the committee suggested maintaining gendered sports programs but said the government should support sports associations that want to establish mixed programs.
