Latest news with #Egale
CBC
10-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Court injunction sought against Alberta government's new transgender youth health care legislation
Social Sharing Lawyers for two LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations are in court Monday for the first step in their fight against the Alberta government's transgender law that prevents doctors from providing gender-affirming treatments, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy for youths under the age of 16. Egale Canada and Alberta's Skipping Stone Foundation, joined by the families of five gender-diverse Alberta youths, launched the legal action against the provincial government in December after Bill 26 received royal assent. It has not yet been proclaimed. The groups are challenging the constitutionality of the bill and seeking an injunction that would protect youth access to the health care in question while the courts decide whether the law is constitutional. Egale has called the Alberta government's actions "unprecedented" and " sweeping attack on the rights, safety and freedoms of 2SLGBTQI people in Alberta." The organization argues it is unconstitutional to deny medical care on the basis of being gender diverse and is a violation of the teens' Charter rights to security of the person, freedom from cruel and unusual treatment and their right to equality. A spokesperson for the justice minister previously said it would be inappropriate to comment on the case as it's before the courts but did say the legislation "strikes an apportioned balance." In December, Smith said the bill is necessary to protect children. "We don't allow them to smoke, we don't allow them to do drugs, we don't allow them to drive. So we think that making a permanent decision that will affect one's fertility is an adult decision," Smith said. Smith has previously expressed confidence that her government's bill will withstand the Charter challenge but said the notwithstanding clause is on the table as "a last resort." It's a constitutional measure which allows a government to override certain Charter rights for up to five years. Part of Bill 26 includes a ban on gender-affirming "top" surgery for youths, a rule which is already in effect. Bill 26 is one of three transgender laws the government seeks to implement. The Education Amendment Act will see a requirement for parental consent for children under 16 to change their names or pronouns at school, and for parental opt-in for their kids to be taught lessons on sexuality, sexual orientation and gender identity. The Fairness and Safety in Sports act — banning transgender athletes from competing in female mature sports — is also set to become law. As part of the new legislation, sports organizations will also be required to report eligibility complaints to the government.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
One of Canada's Largest LGBTQ+ Groups Will No Longer Come to U.S. Events Due to Trump Attacks
Them' Egale Canada, one of Canada's largest LGBTQ+ organizations, has announced that it will not attend any in-person U.S. events for the foreseeable future in response to the Trump administration's anti-LGBTQ+ policies, including key gatherings at the United Nations and the forthcoming World Pride celebration. In a February 6 statement shared to Egale's website, the group explained that it had previously been registered to attend the 69th annual Commission on the Status of Women at the New York-based U.N. Headquarters from March 10 to 21. However, the organization ultimately decided against attending the commission as it has in the past, as well as any other global events based within the U.S. This includes the 50th annual World Pride, a series of international LGBTQ+ Pride events that will be held this year in Washington, D.C. 'This decision is foremost based on the need to safeguard our trans and nonbinary staff who would face questionable treatment at land and aviation borders to attend such convenings, and to stand in solidarity with global colleagues who are experiencing similar fear around entry to the U.S.,' the statement reads. In response to Donald Trump's January 20 executive order defining gender as male or female assigned at birth, the State Department stopped issuing U.S. passports with 'X' gender markers and reportedly suspended processing all applications from Americans seeking to update their passports with a new gender marker. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department has eliminated references to transgender travelers from its travel advisories. The department's International Travel tab now has a section titled 'LGB Travelers,' rather than 'LGBTQI+ Travelers.' Eagle added that its decision was also made based on 'the unique situation that has been thrust on Canadians (and citizens of other countries) regarding economic warfare and threats to our national sovereignty.' Earlier this month, Trump took executive action to threaten new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, saying that he would place a 25% import tax on all Canadian steel and aluminum products entering the U.S. from March 12 onward. Trump has expressed a desire to make Canada the 51st U.S. state, although his national security adviser Mike Waltz insisted to NBC News on February 9 that he doesn't think the president has 'any plans to invade Canada.' 'We cannot in good conscience engage in a process of disentangling our organization from U.S. goods and services… and then proceed to travel to the U.S.,' Egale's statement continued. 'We will continue to work with civil society and government colleagues to ensure the best possible outcomes are achieved in these global spaces and continue to find ways to support our international partners during these trying times.' According to the Washington Blade, Egale's statement may be the first time that an international LGBTQ+ organization has declined to attend World Pride and other U.S. events due to the Trump administration's anti-LGBTQ+ attacks. Get the best of what's queer. Sign up for Them's weekly newsletter here. Originally Appeared on them.
