ONTARIO (September 1, 2023) – Planned Parenthood Toronto, Planned Parenthood Ottawa, and SHORE Centre (Waterloo Region) unite in response to recent comments made by Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce regarding a possible mandate for school boards to disclose a child’s gender identity to parents.

As frontline organizations entrusted with ensuring that our communities receive accurate, inclusive, and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services and education, we stand firmly against the backdrop of a rising and raging tide of anti-2SLGBTQIA+ rhetoric and legislation. Today, we would like to speak directly to the parents of young people.

First of all, we know that for the vast majority of parents, supporting and protecting your children from harm is your primary concern and that you do this from a place of deep love. We also know that this particular moment in history is frightening for all of us for many reasons, including unprecedented climate disasters, rampant cost of living and a deep sense of fear and uncertainty about our futures. In such turbulent times filled with collective fear, misinformation and disinformation spreads extremely rapidly, and almost inevitably, by scapegoating of some of the most vulnerable members of our communities. The government’s misguided response to trans children and youth who express their gender is unfortunately being shaped by this misinformation and disinformation.

As a society, transphobia – a fear, hatred, and lack of understanding of trans communities – is being ramped up under the cover of “protecting children” and we are playing into the hands of some very dangerous politics stemming from the current divisive and fear-mongering politics of the US. As organizations who serve thousands of youth every year, including hundreds of trans, non-binary and gender diverse youth, we need to speak up now. Here are five things that we want concerned Ontario parents to know.

Gender expression is diverse and on a spectrum: Gender identity is a spectrum, with some folks embracing their identity early on, while others embark on a wider journey of self discovery. Children might express their identity in many different ways– names, clothing, pronouns–each path is distinct. There is no universal “right” way to navigate this journey.

Trans people have always been here and in every society: Across cultures, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming folks have walked the paths that paved the way for us today, often holding revered political and social roles in our communities. However the ongoing legacy of colonization and its attempts to eradicate trans and gender-diverse individuals has fuelled the challenges trans folks confront today. We must stand against the tide of cultural hostility and provide unwavering support for those who exist outside of narrow and limiting identities. As allies to trans and gender non-conforming children, we must actively protect them from this cultural hatred. Creating environments for children where we support them in who they are is the greatest expression of love and safety we could give.

Identity cannot be coerced: Gender identity is an innate aspect of a person and cannot be taught, coerced or imposed. Supporting trans and gender non-conforming youth does not convince cis youth to alter their identities, it simply creates a safer environment for youth to be who they are. We want young people to better understand who they are, and to have the language to describe themselves, and to know that we respect and believe them when and if they decide to tell us.

Trans-affirming care and trans affirming spaces are life saving:  A recent University of Ottawa research study shows that trans and gender non-conforming youth are more than five times more likely to be suicidal than non-trans youth. This is primarily due to societal stigma, shaming and violence that trans children and youth experience. A robust support system, including acceptance and love from family and friend networks, acts as a buffer against the slate of mental health challenges they might encounter. It is crucial to remember that your child remains trans, regardless of whether or not they have yet to share that aspect of themselves with you. In fact, policies that centre “parents’ rights” over children’s well-being will only serve to keep trans and gender non-conforming children closeted about their identities, in deep psychological pain and put children and youth lives at risk.

Trust is earned, safety is complex: Trust and safety form the foundation upon which children can confidently unveil their authentic selves. A prejudice-free environment allows for youth to openly share their identity. Recognizing your pivotal role in cultivating this safety is crucially important. If transphobia and/or homophobia is showing up around your dinner table, or in your car rides to school, or on the podcasts or talk shows you are listening to, your children are paying attention. And if they are trans, and home does not feel like a safe space, they are likely going to keep that information deeply to themselves, with great potential physical risk and psychological damage as a result.

A Call to Action
Parents, allies, and caregivers: we must push for a united front against policies that corrode our children’s trust and well-being. The misappropriation of “parental rights” should never overshadow the genuine protection our trans children deserve. Let us collectively combat societal transphobia and discrimination, both in policy and in practice.

In addition, we must emphasize the importance of inclusive, comprehensive, and evidence-based sexual and reproductive health education for youth and the community. Such an approach has the potential to shape a world where everyone thrives and unburdens us all from fear and stigma.

The unsettling truth is that New Brunswick and Saskatchewan have already taken steps towards enacting harmful legislation targeting trans children, and it is our steadfast resolve to ensure that this terrible trend never takes root in Ontario. Only a determined and evidence-based community response will ensure that it does not.

Instead of focusing on forcing trans children to out themselves to parents before they feel safe or are ready, we call on all levels of governments to create greater supports and resources for both trans children and youth and for parents who seek to protect and support them and guide unsupportive parents into understanding, acceptance and love. 

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Planned Parenthood Toronto is a youth-driven, anti-racist, culturally-responsive community health centre for youth 13-29 that delivers primary, sexual and mental health care, community programs, research and advocacy. Learn more at ppt.on.ca.

Planned Parenthood Ottawa is a pro-choice organization supporting people of all ages and genders with their sexual and reproductive health through education, counselling, peer support programs, and system navigation services. Learn more at ppottawa.ca.

SHORE Centre is a sexual health and reproductive rights organization in Waterloo Region, striving to provide medical care, education, counseling and support services which centre disability justice, trans/queer inclusion, newcomer experiences, racial justice and the overall needs of our communities. Learn more at SHORECentre.ca

Media/Interview Requests:

Planned Parenthood Toronto
Mohini Datta-Ray, Executive Director
mdatta-ray@ppt.on.ca
(289) 242 8810