I'm a 18 year old Non-binary person in Saskatchewan (They/them) who deals with poor mental health. Ever since I began to express my identity and come out to my parents in middle school I have been invalidated and terrified to be who I am. Constant misgendering, mocking, and looming hate from close family. I'm afraid to get gender affirming care or even speak to a psychologist due to my family’s views. It has decreased my mental health significantly.

This petition is for transgender people who need strength in speaking out and getting the care they need to be their honest and true selves in SK.

The systemic structure of our society has always believed in two genders and cisnormative living. But transgender people have been around for centuries. Early Scandinavian Norse mythology depicts Odin and Loki as fluid in gender, says ThePublicMedievalist. In Greece the myths of people and gods are ever changing in gender expression such as Dionysus, Aphrodite, Tiresias, and Caeneus says Paxsies on Queer Knowledge and Facts. Martinifisher - Ancient history of crossdressing says In Rome people often cross dressed during Saturnalia, the act of transitioning in gender being related to divinity. In Germany 1905 Karl M Baer was the first trans man to get sex reassignment surgery and legal recognition and change on his birth certificate. From Sex, Gender and Time in Fiction and Culture - Jana Funke.

 In Saskatchewan the TransSask community reported in 2022 that 69.32% of responses had some sort of mental health condition. Another 29.55% with learning disabilities, and 19.32% had chronic illness. Trans people are more likely to have mental health issues as opposed to cis people and are at higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide. Adolescents between 12-18 being the most at risk. I know at least 10 others in Warman High School who identify as trans and have the same issues. The only support they have is by their friends who are unable to deal with heavier issues doctors and therapists are supposed to help us with.

The SchoolofPublicPolicy.sk says in October 2023 Saskatchewan passed the “The Parents Bill of Rights” requiring parents consent for a child under 16 to use preferred name and pronouns. Also allowing parents to deny sexual education to their children. 

This is severely dangerous to the health of transgender youth. Those with unsupportive parents will endure years of misgendering and gender dysphoria. Without sexual education this increases the risk of unexpected pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections such as STIs, Lack of consensual understanding, and misunderstanding healthy relationships.

 Lets reverse the harmful effects of this bill with this petition.

You should care because these are regular people. Just people living as they are, who are beneficial to the growth of inspiring and caring communities in saskatchewan. Those who care for mental health and inner self. Those who take care of their physical bodies promote healthy body perception and treatment for eating disorders. Those who also promote sex and puberty education when the system betrays us. 

What can you do to help?
Listen to trans people, especially trans kids. All we want is to be accepted and comfortable in our skin. This means using preferred names and pronouns. It's not complicated.
Protect trans people. If you see someone getting hurt or being bullied. Don't stand there. Call the police, defend them, or speak out.
Make the workplace a safespace. Making a living is much harder with hate from co-workers or customers. Be kind and enforce boundaries.
Do not be ignorant. Inform yourself on transgender history, health such as gender dysphoria and gender affirming care. 
Donate to local organisations.

Organisations to support!
Sask clinic - Downtown Clinic (455 2nd Ave. N.) and Westside Clinic (1528 20th St. W).
A primary healthcare service provider. You can find their website here https://saskatooncommunityclinic.ca/ 

OUT Saskatoon - 245 3 Ave S, Saskatoon
Advocates for transgender and queer information and education. You can find their website here https://www.outsaskatoon.ca/ 

Trans sask - Saskatoon and Regina
Helping with legal name changes, affirming healthcare, sources for teachers and peer support. You can find their website here https://www.transsask.ca/ 

Sign this petition. With your help trans people will get the support they need in Saskatchewan.