Non-profit in London buys bus ads imploring people to 'protect trans kids'
Ads a response to ones bought by Christian group questioning medical care for trans youth
Ads calling for Londoners to "protect trans kids" will soon be seen on the sides of transit buses, a month after a Christian group bought advertisements that angered transgender activists and their supporters.
The new ads, paid for by the London-based non-profit Fairy Godparents, will go live Jan. 20 and run on the sides of 12 London Transit Commission (LTC) buses until March 16.
"The ads also say, 'Trust kids when they tell you who they are,'" said Stevie Brocksom, a transgender activist and president of the non-profit.
"This is direct action, addressing trans kids and people who are taking the bus. If their bus arrives and has a transphobic ad on it, they don't have a choice to get on it — they have to go to school or work. I want those kids to see that there are people fighting for them. There are people who are saying, 'Protect trans kids.'"
Last month, the LTC received complaints after running bus ads purchased by the Association for Reformed Political Action, a grassroots Christian advocacy organization. Its director of law and policy said surgeries and drugs have become too readily used in Canada to help young patients experiencing gender dysphoria.
Despite pushback, the transit commission said it cannot deny the ads because they don't contravene the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
"I don't have the assets to get lawyers involved and have them look at the Charter and how that ad infringes on the Charter," said Brocksom. "I don't want to address that other bus ad; I want to address trans kids."
WATCH | Trans activist speaks on the impact the ads may have on trans youth:
