Vatican's stance on gender-affirming care is harmful, warn N.L. activists
Gemma Hickey and Rhea Rollmann say stance may fuel hatred against the trans community
Newfoundland and Labrador activists say the Vatican's new doctrine on gender-affirming care is hurtful and anti-science.
On Monday, the Vatican declared gender theory, gender-affirming surgery and surrogacy as "grave violations of human dignity."
"I'll tell you what's against human dignity, it's protecting child abusers. That's against human dignity. And this is just a distraction from the church dealing with that," Gemma Hickey told CBC News on Tuesday.
Hickey, president of advocacy group Ending Clergy Abuse, said they weren't surprised by the contents of the document, as they've seen a rise in hate targeting the trans community, which they said is rooted in the United States and is coming up into the Canadian political landscape.
"My fear is that it will give more ammunition to conservative groups and right-wing people who are really attacking people like me right now. And so that's the concern," said Hickey.
They said trans youth have higher rates of suicide, addiction and homelessness.
Going against science: author
Rhea Rollmann, a journalist and author of A Queer History of Newfoundland, says the Vatican's note was disappointing and hurtful.
It also puts the church in opposition to medical science, she said.
"Every major medical organization in the world has come out in support of gender-affirming care," Rollmann said, "It's safe, it's effective, it's essential for people who need it."
Medical professionals, including the Canadian Psychological Association and the Canadian Paediatric Society, endorse gender-affirming care.
Hickey said the Vatican's latest stance on gender is harmful, especially for young people, adding that gender-affirming care was a lifeline for them.
"Back when I was a kid there were no terms like 'transgender.' I had nothing, no resources. No access to medical care. It was very isolating growing up on an island. And growing up in a family that were devout Roman Catholics," said Hickey.
"So I internalized a lot of homophobia, transphobia. I even went to see a conversion therapist, which resulted in me attempting suicide."
This document sends a negative message to trans youth and reaffirms negative beliefs about gender that are rooted in patriarchy and colonialism that comes from churches, said Hickey.
"And of course the Catholic Church is reluctant to change their views because then they would have to change their church structure. And that means actually having to take a look at the systems in place that perpetuates racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and also perpetuate clergy sexual abuse," said Hickey.
Historically, Rollman said, the views the Vatican is supporting have caused great institutional harm.
"That traditionalist approach is what facilitated the operation of authoritarian institutions like Mount Cashel here in this province, which led to the enactment of violence, abuse and sexual abuse against generations of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians," said Rollmann.
Hickey also said the Vatican should be held accountable for what its views may promote.
Rollman said there are organizations like Dignity, made up of 2SLGBTQ+ members that are engaged with progressive work, as well as churches in the province and elsewhere that are welcoming and inclusive.
"The church should be fighting for equality, dignity, tolerance for all people, not fuelling hatred and bigotry and ignorance," said Rollmann.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Heather Gillis