Trans activists 'appalled' by new bus ads but LTC says they're allowed
The ads, purchased by a Reformed Christian group, say 'put the brakes on medical transitions for minors'
Members of London's transgender community say a new ad appearing on London Transit Commission (LTC) buses this week carries a message with the potential to harm young people who seek, or are receiving, medical care related to their gender identity.
The Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) purchased the ad for display on three buses in the LTC's fleet.
Despite early pushback from some who have spotted them on the side exterior of the buses, the chair of the LTC said the ads cannot be denied because they do not violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guides the LTC's advertisement policy.
Against a blue background and beside cartoon images of three children, the ad's slogan states: "Put the brakes on medical transitions for minors." It also includes a link to a website called LetKidsBe.ca, which challenges Canada's approach to providing gender-affirming care.
Elliot Duvall, a transgender man who lives in London, said the ad shouldn't be allowed because it's focused on denying care that is allowed in Canada and follows standards of care accepted by health practitioners.
Gender-affirming health care — an approach that affirms a trans person's gender identity instead of trying to change it — is endorsed by medical associations in Canada and around the world, including the Canadian Psychological Association and the Canadian Pediatric Society.
"It's absolutely appalling to be honest with you," said Duvall about the bus ads. "It's also hard because every person, whether they're a minor or not, should have health-care rights."
WATCH | A youth queer advocate responds to the bus ads
Robyn Hodgson, a registered nurse and formerly the co-ordinator in the transgender and non-binary program at the London InterCommunity Health Centre, said the ad's message has the potential to harm young people.
"We have medical criteria for when young people should receive appropriate care," said Hogdson. "So it's unclear from this advertisement what it is that they seek to ban. There are medically approved criteria for doing different levels of care at different points of developmental progression."
Hodgson also pointed to Ontario's move back in 2012 to recognize gender identity in its human rights legislation.
Hodgson believes denying access to a full range of general affirming care could leave minors vulnerable to negative mental health outcomes, including an increased risk of suicide.
The ARPA is described on its website as a grassroots Christian advocacy organization.
John Sikkema, ARPA's director of law and policy, said the group believes surgeries and drugs have been too readily used in Canada to help young patients experiencing gender dysphoria. He said the intent of the ad is to challenge the idea that "transitioning" using surgery and medication doesn't have the potential to cause permanent harm to young people.
"It seems to be much more the subject of public discussion in other countries as it is here," Sikkema said. "It's time to have that conversation in Canada, for the sake of children's well-being."
Ads don't contravene LTC policy
LTC Chair Stephanie Marentette said the ad "does not reflect the views and values" of London's transit authority and "it certainly does not reflect my views."
However, she said the LTC can not deny the ad purchase because the ad doesn't contravene the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In 2020, the LTC changed its advertising policy making the Charter the guiding document as to whether or not ad content is allowed or rejected.
Supreme Court rulings have struck down transit authorities' ability to deny ads on their vehicles that have a political message.
"Unless something is egregious or amounting to hate speech. that would trigger an exception. Unfortunately we don't have the ability to arbitrate what types of ads go on the side of our buses," said Marentette. "This is something we don't have a lot of control over, the Supreme Court is the highest court in the country."
Marentette said there have been a few complaints about the ads already, and said each one has the potential to force the LTC to review its advertisement policy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
