Action Alert: Hon. Pierre Poilievre, stop targeting transgender youth!

Just as the holiday season approaches, paid advertisements from a reformed Christian group, that use the slogan “Put the brakes on medical transitions for minors” appeared on city buses in London, Ontario. This is another attack on our youth. Hate and bigotry are harmful and have no space in society. Messaging such as this increases the risk for harm from misinformation that devalues the rights of 2SLGBTQI+ youth. The rights of 2SLGBTQI+ communities, including transgender children and youth, are human rights. All individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, have the right to feel safe and supported. RNAO demands the London Transit Commission (LTC) to immediately remove these ads. 

Earlier this year, premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith, joined other provincial leaders who have exploited prejudice and ignorance about transgender people – and, in particular, youth. 

RNAO is deeply concerned about the consequences of federal Conservative Party leader, Pierre Poilievre, echoing and amplifying anti-transgender views across the country. These views are ill-informed and dangerous to the health and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable youth in our society.

Join us! Tell the leader of the federal Conservative Party to stop targeting transgender and gender-diverse youth. RNAO denounces any kind of stigmatization, discrimination and social exclusion based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. We applaud Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other federal leaders who continue to stand in support of transgender youth.  

The proposed restrictions to care proposed by Smith and supported by Poilievre appear to be founded on ideology, not informed by evidence. RNAO’s best practice guideline for nurses, Promoting 2SLGBTQI+ Health Equity, provides the actual evidence for foundational, inclusive health-care practices for the 2SLGBTQI+ community. From our research, we know that gender-affirming care provided by person-centred health professionals in an inclusive health setting – which may include the use of puberty blockers and hormone treatment – provides the best health and social outcomes for transgender and non-binary youth.

We are also deeply concerned about efforts in other provinces to restrict education on matters of sexuality and gender combined with a corresponding insistence on parental consent in all matters related to youth gender identity. Research shows that this compounds the vulnerability of gender-diverse youth, considerably increasing their exposure to violence and likelihood of homelessness, as well as increasing the risk of self-harm and suicide.

RNAO is very pleased by the pledge of Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones to retain Ontario’s current guidelines for treatment and care for transgender youth. We are inspired by the widespread reaction across Canada to politicians targeting at-risk youth and sending them a simple message: Stop.