Hundreds rally in Regina against new pronoun, name policy for Sask. schools

Hundreds of people gathered outside the Saskatchewan Legislative Building in Regina on Saturday to speak out against a new provincial government policy that requires parental consent when children under 16 want to use different names or pronouns at school.

Brendan Dickey, a Regina-based teacher who helped organize the rally, says he believes the legislation will cause harm.

"It puts a whole bunch of youth at risk from the two-spirit, the trans and from the non-binary communities in our province," Dickey said.

"We're being told as educators that we are to out these students to their parents if they are not already out."

The policy, announced by the provincial education minister on Aug. 22, states that "when a student requests that their preferred name, gender identity, and/or gender expression be used, parental/guardian consent will be required for students under the age of 16."

Carla Blakley, a Lutheran pastor in Regina, says schools are meant to be a safe space for children and calls the policy "extremely harmful."

"Kids just want to be who they are," Blakley said at Saturday's rally. "Sometimes homes are not safe and they can't be out there."

Leticia Coles's child is non-binary, and has friends who are also non-binary or trans but don't feel comfortable coming out to their family.

"Not all of them are out yet to their parents, and that could be a matter of whether they are worried about homelessness," Coles said.

"I've made sure that we do have an extra space in our home for their friends, but no child should ever have to fear being thrown out just because of who they are." 

Ariana Giroux, director of the UR Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity —a non-profit service provider housed at the University of Regina — hopes the rally sends a message to the provincial government.  

"We are here to show that the population of Saskatchewan does not stand for organized attacks on trends and queer rights," Giroux said. 

"The population of Saskatchewan wants to have queer and trans people welcome in our community.… We are here to show that we will not be quiet and that we will not stand aside when injustice happens."

In an emailed statement on Saturday, a spokesperson said the Saskatchewan Party government "remains committed to implementing the policy."