Tegan and Sara decry Alberta government 'attack' on LGBTQ+ ...
Calgary musical duo Tegan and Sara Quin were given the Humanitarian Award at the Junos in Halifax Sunday night for their advocacy work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community.
Published Mar 25, 2024 • Last updated 36 minutes ago • 2 minute read
Calgary indie pop duo Tegan and Sara took aim at Alberta’s policies surrounding transgender youth as they accepted an award Sunday night to honour their advocacy work for the LGBTQ+ community.
Onstage at the Junos in Halifax to accept the Humanitarian Award for the efforts of their Tegan and Sara Foundation, which has a particular focus on advocating for LGBTQ girls and women, they said the recognition was meaningful but also a reflection of the issues their community is facing in the current political climate.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.or
Article content
Article content
“If the world were not so hostile to 2SLGBTQ+ people, we would see ourselves purely as musicians,” said Sara Quin.
“We are dedicated to confronting any form of discrimination that threatens the well-being of our community, threats like the Alberta government’s attempt to prevent trans youth from accessing vital care. These attacks are harmful because they are directed at kids who need our support the most.”
Earlier this year, the Alberta government said it would implement new policies regarding children and LGBTQ rights. These include bans on gender reassignment surgery for those aged under 17 and on hormone therapy for children aged 15 and under, as well as limits on sports participation for transgender athletes.
“The government is introducing these policies across several ministries to preserve the choices children and youth have before potentially making life-altering and often irreversible adult decisions,” said Sam Blackett, press secretary for Premier Danielle Smith, in a written statement issued to Postmedia.
Blackett also said the province was reaffirming its support for the LGBTQ+ community by providing health care access and supports for transgender adults.
Article content
“Additionally, we’re developing a counselling pilot project to help youth identifying as transgender and their families work through often difficult and complex issues and discussions,” he said.
The concerns echo Smith’s own statement in a video posted to social media on Jan. 31, ahead of the official announcement.
“Prematurely encouraging or enabling children to alter their very biology or natural growth, no matter how well intentioned and sincere, poses a risk to that child’s future that I as premier am not comfortable with permitting in our province,” she said at the time.
Legal experts have said the new rules could run afoul of the Canadian Charter of Right and Freedoms, as a court had already ruled against similar legislation put in place by the province of Saskatchewan.
Article content
