Friday, October 12, 2012

Flush Fear, Not Rights Trans Rally Saturday In Calgary

I wrote a post about Conservative MP Rob Anders pimping the bathroom meme north of the border in an attempt to kill C-279, the Trans Rights bill sponsored by NDP MP Randall Garrison that seeks to add gender identity and gender expression to the Canadian Human Rights Act and the list of identifiable groups in the Criminal Code of Canada.

If passed, the bill would extend clear human rights protections regarding employment, housing and access to services to Canadian trans people.

The bill has multiparty support, is making its way through the Canadian House, has passed second reading and is headed to committee.  So what does the Canadian conservative movement do in this situation? 

Take a page out of their American conservafool cousins playbook and demonize it.     

Calgary West MP Rob Anders circulated a petition attacking C-279 that claims "its goal is to give transgendered men access to women’s public washroom facilities," and will expose children to harm.

It's backfiring though, with people starting a petition of their own to remove Anders from office

The trans community in Calgary has organized a protest tomorrow at MP Anders constituency office in SW Calgary. 

The 'Flush Fear, Not Rights' rally will kick off at 10:00 AM local time October 13 and will not only protest the pimping of the bathoom meme, but seeks to do some education on trans issues as well.

From the Facebook page organizing the rally:

We invite Mr. Anders, the members of the Calgary West Constituency Association, other Members of Parliament in the Calgary area, Members of the Legislative Assembly (the Province of Alberta likewise does not have clear trans inclusion in the Alberta Human Rights Act), members of media and allies to meet with trans people, and learn about trans issues and why human rights protections are needed.

Good luck and give 'em hell.

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