Steadfast support of Saskatoon’s trans community emerges at city council discussion

Sarah Smokeyday, who spoke against calls to restrict trans people from women's change rooms in Saskatoon, said it is disturbing to hear misinformation about trans people.

Saskatoon’s city council chambers were filled to the brim Wednesday morning as people came to speak on the topic of public changeroom access.

“I do not need a cis man speaking for me, on behalf of me, or over me, especially on International Women’s Day,” said Sarah Smokeyday, who was one of many speakers in opposition to a select few calls to restrict trans people from women’s changerooms.

There has been intolerance and an outcry online after unconfirmed reports of a person with male anatomy in the female changeroom at the Shaw Centre.

Over 300 pages of comments were submitted to the city, a vast majority of which showed support for the trans community and their right to access washrooms or changerooms that align with their gender identity.

Smokeyday said it was disturbing to hear people stereotype and spread misinformation about trans people.

“Statistics from first-hand accounts, police records, and court documents continually have proven time and time again that the danger to women and children is not trans women, or trans men, or non-binary folks. It’s not drag artists, or people pretending to be any of the above.”

She added she was one such survivor.

“I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and adult sexual violence.”