Dear Editor,
Re: Gender decisions too much for children, June 5
It is clear that both the letter writer and our premier feel that both uninformed opinion and personal discomfort are enough to pursue legislation around something that has never directly affected either of them.
To the letter writer: if you feel you have enough accreditation to comment on medical gender-affirming care from seeing a lesbian couple kiss several years ago (now etched in your memory as a subjective political statement), I encourage you to spend some time learning about critical thinking.
Puberty blockers are used and only effective during a small window to pause permanent puberty changes in order to give both youth and parents time to reflect, learn and assess what next steps feel right for them. The pressure you speak of actually comes from rigid cultural assumptions that everyone is assumed to be cisgender, heterosexual and neurotypical until proven otherwise, which involves seemingly endless questions, requirements of proof and scrutiny.
Queer adults are not leading any fads or bandwagons but rather we are trying to exist and get through the day in a world that constantly, and often violently, reminds us that we don't belong. There is an ever-constant and haunting message in every space that reminds us that instead of coping and barely keeping our head above water, we could merely up our authenticity and truth so that we might try to fit in so that it might grow quieter or maybe disappear.
Gender diversity has always existed -- it is the true essence of each person's self and how we all know what we uniquely feel when something feels genuine or performative, whether in love, attraction, expression, names or pronouns.
Living memory is strong, but it is important to note that it was not long ago that women who wanted to wear pants were seen as deviant, defiant and wholly lacking in feminine qualities.
People who are concerned about medical gender-affirming healthcare often have genuinely caring and loving intentions. Some are not actually informed about the realities and facts, and are centering themselves in the scenario instead of listening to, and learning about, the trans and gender-diverse people who are trying to get through their day and live meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Not every trans, non-binary or gender-diverse person is interested in blockers, HRT and/or surgeries, but they absolutely deserve a space where they are free and safe to learn, explore and express what does and does not genuinely align with them without the threatening assumptions, ultimatums, violence and judgements of someone else's values.
Love, expression, authenticity and belonging are not political statements but rather what gives meaning to life in all of these sleepy little towns and big cities across this province, country and around the world.
Haley Wray
Foothills