Queer NAIT students unite after Alberta transgender legislation

NAIT prides itself as a safe and inclusive space for all.

Our school holds Pride Weeks every March, where students celebrate their authentic selves. We have the Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, which holds regular events at the Community Resource Centre in the T Building (Administration). Recently, their office launched the THIS MATTERS campaign. Posters have circulated through the hallways bearing the transgender colours and declaring that “Gender-based and sexual violence has no place at NAIT.”

NAIT’s compassion for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is not reflected by our government, unfortunately.

Alberta is putting several bills into law regulating transgender youth:

• Students are unable to learn about gender and sexual education without permission.
  
• Schools must notify parents when their child wants to use a chosen name or pronouns, potentially revealing them before they are ready.
  
• Doctors are prohibited from starting hormone therapy and puberty blockers on anyone under 16, creating a longer wait time to access gender-affirming care.
  
• Transgender girls in school are not allowed to play on female sports teams. This applies to all levels of education, including post-secondary institutions. The bill was made under the assumption that transgender females have an advantage over cisgender (same as birth) females.

To a queer person – even as an adult in college – all this is frightening.

Daily life as a gender-diverse person is already challenging and anxiety-ridden. As progressive and welcoming as our society has become, it is still a daunting task to “perform yourself” to an audience of peers. Will someone say something? Make a cruel joke? Give a look of disgust? One misgendering is a small blow, but they start to add up. With these legislations, it seems that our government is committed to making the lives of young queers just that bit more difficult.

Is there any way to feel less isolated? Is there any hope?

Yes.

It is important to remember that you are not alone.

Pride @ NAIT is a student-run group of diverse individuals that meet, collaborate, create events and enjoy being queer and queer-allied, together. The Discord group is open for anyone to join, and is a stepping stone to a wider community of thoughtful and considerate individuals.

When NAIT students create communities for folks to come together and inhabit their own spaces, real human impact can occur. Make friends, make memories, and know that there is strength in numbers.

You belong. Check out Pride @ NAIT today.

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