Sask. trans rights supporters rally across province against Bill 137
Those attending the rallies in Saskatoon and Regina say the law has created unsafe spaces for many youth since it was passed three years ago.
On Saturday, rallies were held in Saskatoon and Regina, calling for the repeal of Bill 137 in Saskatchewan. The law prohibits children under 16 from using a different name or pronoun at school without parental consent, and was passed three years ago, creating unsafe spaces for many trans youth. Organizer Thios Mwunvaneza stated that many trans youth feel unsafe trying to be themselves at school and have fewer places to be themselves.
Blake Tait, co-chair of Saskatoon Pride, added that the law re-traumatizes trans adults who have experienced similar issues in the past. Bill 137 also permits parents to exempt their child from sexual health classes and bans third-party sexual health organizations from teaching students in schools. Mwunvaneza criticized the province for having the highest rates of syphilis and HIV while restricting access to sex education.
NDP Leader Carla Beck announced that if elected, her party would repeal the bill within 100 days of forming government. Nathaniel Teed, the first openly gay MLA in Saskatchewan, emphasized the need for better relationships between parents, teachers, and students in the province. The bill's government response claimed it outlines parental rights in education, and a challenge from UR Pride and other interveners is awaiting a Supreme Court of Canada hearing, questioning the Notwithstanding Clause's use in enforcing the law.
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