Gender identity is not a theory, said the manager for TG Innerselves, a transgender support site for people in Northern Ontario.
“My identity is something very real,” said Vincent Bolt. “It exists. Many civilizations throughout the world including here in North America, have and have had more than two genders for thousands of years.”
Bolt was speaking in reaction to the Progressive Conservatives passing a resolution at a party convention on Saturday to debate whether or not the party should recognize gender identity. The vote happened during the PC's three-day convention in Toronto. The party called gender identity a theory, stating it's a highly controversial, unscientific liberal ideology, and that the PC government will remove the teaching and promotion of gender identity theory from Ontario schools and its curriculum.
“Even if it was a theory, there are plenty of other things in schools being discussed that are just theories,” Bolt said. “It's just ridiculous this is what they are going after this.”
By calling gender identity a "theory," the Tories seemed to show a lack of understanding on the meaning of the word. For instance, speaking scientifically, gravity itself is also a theory.
However, today, Premier Doug Ford said the party won't be proceeding with the proposal.
By eliminating the discussion about trans identity in the school curriculum, you are contributing to the high rates of suicide and violence in the trans community, Bolt said.
Trans Pulse Project, a community-based research project that is investigating the impact of social exclusion and discrimination of the health of trans people in Ontario, said 43 per cent of trans people have attempted suicide at one point.
What's particularly scary, Bolt said, is the fact 76 per cent of trans kids or youth do not have family members or parents who support them, and school is where these young people can be themselves and be safe.
“When young people have that support, the rate of suicide attempts decreases 93 per cent,” Bolt said. “You're taking this part of the community that's already incredibly vulnerable, and at a high risk with a high rate of depression, suicide and social isolation, and making it worse.
“Trans identity wasn't put in the curriculum just because it was something interesting to talk about. It's there because we have a lot of students in our Ontario schools who identify as members of the trans community. We have a significant number of students who need to feel they are represented by that curriculum.”
The NDP is calling the decision dangerous, saying the Ford Conservatives are debating things that should not be up for debate.
“The Ford Conservatives have opened up the debate and voted in favour of some very dangerous resolutions,” said NDP MPP Marit Stiles. “I don’t believe this stuff is what Ontarians voted for.”
Stiles cited resolutions that open up Ontario to privatized health care, and that attack LGBTQ youth, especially transgender youth.
“LGBTQ youth are already subject to bullying and stigmatization. They’re already more likely to attempt or to die as a result of suicide,” said Stiles. “Can you imagine how Ontario’s LGBTQ young people feel today, with Mr. Ford’s Conservatives going on the attack against trans kids?”
For the time being, it will be business as usual for Bolt and his team at TG Innerselves.
“I've been visiting schools since 2006 talking about gender identity and sexual orientation, regardless of what has been in the curriculum,” Bolt said. “There are teachers who are afraid to talk about these issues because of the repercussions they might face (under the restricted curriculum). I'm a social worker, not a teacher, and what I'm talking about is my own journey and how having a school that supported me actually saved my life. That's an important message for students.”
Bolt is now getting ready for the International Transgender Day of Remembrance, an annual observance that honours the memory of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-gender violence.
A flag-raising ceremony will happen at 10 a.m. with a proclamation at Bell Park.
"We are remembering trans people whe were murdered or who died as a result of suicide," Bolt said. "Every year, we have a proclamation and speeches with a flag raising to create awareness that we are here in this city, and there are people we need to remember. We also do it as a way of saying we are proud of what our community has accomplished, and that we are proud of who we are."
In the evening, organizers will host a Celebration of Life and documentary screening from 6-9:30 p.m. at Sudbury Secondary School, hosted by TG Innerselves. The documentary is "Call Her Ganda". Doors open at 6 p.m., speeches beginning at 7 p.m., followed by the film at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but donation are welcome.
