Over 400 Canadian artists from the music, film, and literature industries have signed an open letter denouncing what they call “alarming and destructive” anti-trans legislation. The letter, released by music superstars Tegan and Sara, highlights the risks to the mental and physical well-being of transgender individuals in Canada. The signatories include well-known figures such as Elliot Page, Alan Doyle, Elisha Cuthbert, Neil Young, Allison Russell, and the members of Sharon, Lois, and Bram. The letter specifically calls out the anti-trans policies being implemented in Alberta, New Brunswick, and Saskatchewan, including pronoun policies for gender-diverse children in schools and restrictions on gender-affirming care for youth.
At the Juno Awards last week, Tegan and Sara were recognized with a humanitarian award and voiced their concerns about government policies targeting trans youth. The sisters emphasized the importance of proactive action to address the wave of anti-trans legislation in Canada and the United States. They urged government officials to focus on more pressing issues such as climate change, the housing crisis, and the rise in opioid-related deaths. The signatories of the letter, which also includes Anne Murray, Deepa Mehta, and Michael Crummey, are united in their opposition to school-based pronoun policies and proposed bans on hormone therapy. They are calling on all levels of government to halt the implementation of harmful legislation targeting transgender individuals.
Notable signatories to the open letter denouncing anti-trans legislation include Aysanabee, Colin Mochrie, Feist, Tokyo Police Club, Metric, The Beaches, Paul Langlois from The Tragically Hip, Emily Hampshire from Schitt’s Creek, and Rufus Wainwright. The letter was released on Transgender Day of Visibility to raise awareness about the discrimination faced by the trans community. Tegan and Sara were recognized for their work with LGBTQ+ youth at the Juno Awards, with Elliot Page presenting them with the award and highlighting the devastating effects of the rights being revoked, restricted, and eliminated for 2SLGBTQ+ people around the world.
The open letter denouncing anti-trans legislation in Canada is part of a broader effort by Canadian artists to support and advocate for the rights of transgender individuals. The artists are speaking out against harmful policies that threaten the well-being of trans youth and calling on government officials to prioritize the needs of marginalized communities. By using their platforms and influence, these artists are shining a light on the discrimination faced by the trans community and urging society to work towards greater inclusivity and acceptance. The support from a diverse range of artists across various industries underscores the importance of unity and solidarity in the fight against discrimination and prejudice.
The anti-trans legislation denounced in the open letter has sparked widespread concern and opposition among the Canadian artistic community. The signatories are using their collective voice and influence to push back against discriminatory policies and to stand up for the rights and dignity of transgender individuals. By coming together to speak out against harmful legislation, these artists are sending a powerful message that discrimination and prejudice have no place in Canadian society. The open letter serves as a call to action for all levels of government to reevaluate and change their policies to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals, regardless of their gender identity. In a time where the rights of marginalized communities are under threat, the solidarity shown by these Canadian artists is a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for equality and justice for all.
