Calgary students stage walkouts in protest of province's policies for transgender youth

Students across Calgary walked out of their classrooms Wednesday to demonstrate opposition to the provincial government's proposed transgender policies for children and youth.

The Calgary Board of Education couldn't provide numbers of how many students took part in the walkouts, only that they ranged from small groups to hundreds of students. 

"We are aware of potential student protests that may occur on Wednesday … these walkouts are not CBE events," read a statement from the board.

"We will not prevent students from leaving class during this time, however, any students who were not present in class will be marked as an unexcused absence." 

At William Aberhart High School in the city's northwest, hundreds of students took part in the walkout. 

Theo Duerr, 16, is on hormone therapy and said he believes the policy could put some youth in danger.

"Our fear is that … people in high school or people in middle school or younger kids won't be able to explore those identities and won't be able to explore themselves in a comfortable and safe way." 

The Grade 11 student added he thinks people need a better understanding of the queer and transgender community. 

"We need to be represented in the media correctly, we need to be represented everywhere correctly. It's really important that these people understand who we are and that we're not here to threaten or harass. We're here for our rights and we're just here to live."

Last week, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced a slate of policy changes around gender identity and gender affirmation surgeries, and new rules for transgender women athletes. 

It spurred a week of protests and backlash both at the grassroots level and from groups like the Alberta Medical Association. 

Smith, in defending her proposals during a trip to Ottawa on Monday, said there is no "single voice" that can speak on behalf of the entire transgender community. She said she has spoken to some transgender people who expressed concerns about the ability of children to transition at a young age.

"We had to have a conversation about what is the appropriate ages to be able to make those life-altering decisions."

At Western Canada High School on 17th Avenue S.W., several dozen students carried signs with messages such as "Our Outrage Does Not Fit On A Poster" and "Protect Trans Black Female Disabled Immigrant Queer Indigenous Refugee Youth."

Fletcher Morrison, a transgender male in Grade 11, said it's important that his and others' rights are respected at their schools.

"I just want everyone to feel safe in school," said the 16-year-old, who transitioned three years ago with the support of his friends and family.

Morrison said he's been seeing a lot more anti-transgender arguments in the past week.

"I can see it getting worse," he said. "I am just worried for the safety of youth."