Community members, advocates fear rise of transphobia in Sask. after election

As the Saskatchewan Party remains in power after Monday's election, some advocates, experts, families and trans teens worry for the future.

Premier Scott Moe made a campaign promise that if re-elected, his party's "first order of business" would be a policy restricting students to change rooms based on their assigned sex at birth. Moe said this is a safety issue.

Shala Nufeld said she is scared and disappointed about what future lies ahead for her non-binary trans kid, Zipp. Zipp said change rooms and bathrooms at their Saskatoon school are "already stressful" as they are not gender neutral. 

"We should just have neutral spaces for kids that are non-binary, transgender and the policy just moves the mark farther and farther away from spaces that can include everybody ultimately," Shala said.

"How do you walk that out without invading kids, checking their genitals?"

Zipp said the policy would impact the mental health of kids and how much they participate in schools. The 12-year-old said the enforcement of the policy will be "disgusting."

Their family moved from rural Saskatchewan to escape the transphobia Zipp was facing when they came out in Grade 2. They worry they'll have to move again if the policy comes through.

"It does seem Scott Moe's just pushing trans kids farther into mental health struggles. Like, he's doing it on purpose," Zipp said, noting transphobia at school has escalated. "This is just a step backwards".

Shala worries that the next four years can make Saskatchewan even "more homophobic and transphobic." 

A trans girl, who CBC is not identifying, said she already hears from "religious peers" that they don't feel comfortable changing in her presence even when she has transitioned.

"I've been added to group chats where I've been bashed, insulted and mocked just for being trans. This policy will create a huge disconnect between students and their safety," she said.

The Grade 9 student in Saskatoon was already "negatively affected" this year due to Bill 137, or the Parents' Bill of Rights, which makes parental consent required before a child under 16 can use a different gender-related name or pronoun at school.

"With this [change room] policy, I would have to change in the boys' washroom. It's very dangerous and unsafe," she said. "It's hard to put into words when the government is actively working against you."

Chris said her Grade 9 kid, Ray, faced bullying and transphobia since Bill 137 was enacted. CBC is not using their real names because they fear speaking publicly will garner them more hatred.