#Policy 713

[allthecanadianpolitics]

FREDERICTON - A New Brunswick school district has gone to court to prevent the government from forcing it to apply the province's policy on gender identity for students.

Anglophone East School District says in a preliminary motion filed this week that changes to the policy, which came into effect in July, violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Constitution, as well as the province's Human Rights Act and Education Act.

Policy 713 requires parents' consent before teachers can use the preferred name or pronouns for transgender or nonbinary students under 16 years old.

"The singling out of gender diverse youth for such differential and disadvantaged treatment sends a strong and sinister message that it is permissible to discriminate against individuals on the basis of gender identity and gender expression," the district says in the preliminary motion. [...]

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Tagging: @newsfromstolenland

[thesuburbanerd]

“Child and youth advocate Kelly Lamrock says changes to a gender-identity policy for the New Brunswick school system violate the provincial Human Rights Act, the Education Act and children's charter rights.

“In June, Education Minister Bill Hogan said he changed Policy 713 on sexual orientation and gender identity to make it mandatory to deny a request from a child under 16 to use a specific name or pronoun unless parents consent.”

Tagging @allthecanadianpolitics

[ugw-dead]

Why are you, as a "save our children" adult, bringing your KIDS to a protest to denounce their own rights? You're letting your KIDS scream hate, and literally spit at people. Your children just advocated for genocide against trans fellow youth, and said we should just go to war if we're so upset. Your fucking KIDS are saying this because YOU taught them to. You're accusing US of being the groomers, yet you force your kids to protest things they don't even understand? When we chant that "Children Have Rights" and your KIDS are screaming back "No We Don't" because that's what YOU'VE taught them? Disgusting display.

[cupcakechemistsblog]

"On June 8, the New Brunswick government rolled back protections for trans students in public schools.

The announcement of the review of Policy 713 drew hundreds into the streets in defence of the policy. Days after the announcement of the review, more than 350 protesters rallied in front of the New Brunswick legislature in Fredericton in support of the policy.

The New Brunswick Union has already stepped up to condemn the revisions to the policy, and back its members who do choose not to implement the revisions. […] If all teachers and school staff refuse to apply the change, then the revision of Policy 713 will remain a dead letter. This would be a tremendous example of workers’ solidarity in the fight against oppression for all others to follow."

[ns-sprite-editz]

A few New Brunswick silhouettes. Solidarity to you from the other side of the country.

These are free to use, no need to credit.

[talisidekick]

[Start ID: Article from Canadian news website CBC.com titled: "Saint John students protest review of N.B. (New Brunswick) policy that affirms LGBTQ rights in schools"

End ID]

In short, some teachers and parents complained about Policy 713 which aims to create a safe, welcoming, inclusive and affirming school environment for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

In response the government of N.B. said they'd review the policy that was laid out in 2020. Worrying that this review would end in the government repealing Policy 713, students aimed to set up a protest regarding the review of the policy. The expectation of the students planning the protest was no more than 50 people would show. 350+ attended the protest on May 15th, 2023 waving signs and pride flags.

Thought we were done? This protest followed in the wake of a protest in Fredericton N.B. in front of the legislature building. The turnout wasmuch larger. More on that below:

Look. I know we're getting hit hard everywhere. Even in Canada we're getting people rallied onto the hate-train against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. They're posting signs of propaganda against us over overpasses, buying billboards to spread missinformation, and rallying outside libraries to protest drag story hour to make it unsafe for kids and families to attend. But lets remember to celebrate when our allies stand up and stand with us.

When our enemies bring hate, we bring a celebration to drown them out. They yell, we roar louder. Spread love, not hate. None of us are free until all of us are.

[iplaywithstring]

Its encouraging to see so many people and groups speaking up about this.

N.B. Women’s Council says Policy 713 review echoes ‘organized backlash’ against 2SLGBTQIA+ community

The New Brunswick Women’s Council says the provincial government’s review of Policy 713 is using talking points from a larger “organized backlash” against 2SLGBTQIA+ people.

In a statement Friday, the New Brunswick Women’s Council called on the Higgs government to end its review of Policy 713, which mandates minimum standards and requirements within the New Brunswick school system for all sexual orientations and gender identities.

“A lot of theses issues have been addressed by subject matter experts using evidence-based research,” says Beth Lyons, executive director of the New Brunswick Women’s Council, in an interview Friday.

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development says the review of Policy 713 includes the provision for students under 16 to change their preferred first name and pronoun without parents knowing, the process for team sport selection and participation, and access to washroom facilities on the basis of gender identity.

Lyons says the Higgs government is ignoring data on the subject, as rhetoric and violence against the transgender community rises.

“We also have a government which is echoing the questions of that movement,” says Lyons. “I’m not saying they’re aligned with that movement. I’m saying that the movement is strategic.”

A brief from the council says New Brunswick is “in the midst of a backlash against 2SLGBTQIA+ people and communities,” referencing protests at drag queen story time events and a recent review of material at public libraries.

“We can not ignore the broader context of what is happening with the anti-queer and trans backlash,” says Lyons.

Similar statements of concern about the Policy 713 review have been issued by the New Brunswick Child and Youth Advocate and the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission.

from CTV News - Atlantic https://ift.tt/Gd8nhwK

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Erin Reed at Erin In The Morning:

While elections have certainly been heating up in the United States over transgender issues, candidates desiring an early look into how such issues might fare may look no further than Progressive Conservative Premier Blaine Higgs of New Brunswick. The candidate, who has served as premier of New Brunswick for the last six years, saw his party lose in a crushing defeat to the Liberals. The premier lost his own race as well. The candidate made waves as the first premier to implement anti-trans policies in schools, stating at the time that he would not back down, reportedly calling the idea “an election winner”. Blaine Higgs, in an interview with the Canadian Press, defended his record as the first Canadian premier to unilaterally implement anti-trans policies in schools, stating that he “would not change anything” and calling the idea an election winner. His revisions to what is collectively known as Policy 713 required that transgender youth under the age of 16 be forcibly outed to their parents. The policy also mandated that teachers misgender and deadname trans students if they did not have parental consent or were not out to their parents.

At the time, Helen Kennedy, executive director of the LGBTQ+ organization Egale Canada, said, "I think other provinces are obviously watching very closely to see what the potential fallout will be." On Tuesday, it became clear that the Progressive Conservative party, the right-leaning party in the province, faced a decisive defeat. In 2020, the party won 27 seats compared to the Liberals' 17, but this year, the Liberals secured 31 seats to the PCs' 16. Not only did Blaine Higgs' party lose power, but the premier also lost his own “safe” seat in Quispamsis, the most conservative district in 2020.

Higgs will be replaced as premier by Susan Holt, who will become the first woman to lead New Brunswick. Holt has indicated she will reverse Higgs' anti-trans forced outing policies in schools. Earlier this year, she participated in protests supporting transgender students, posting on her Twitter account, "Great to join the crowd today at the rally in support of trans youth. I was honoured to share our support for the protection of trans people in our province & country." Advocates for transgender people celebrated in New Brunswick and across Canada following Higgs's loss. Fae Johnstone, Canadian organizer and spokesperson for Queer Momentum, blamed his loss on his anti-trans policies, stating, “That single decision marked the beginning of the end. It sparked a revolt in his own caucus divided his party and mobilized parents, queer people, teachers and workers across the province against him.”

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs (PC) found out the hard way that attacking trans people is an election loser, as his party lost in this week’s provincial parliamentary elections.

[raziraphale]

"require parental consent for children under 16 to have a different name or different pronouns used at school" oh you mean forcing trans kids to out themselves to their parents in the hope of maybe getting some comfort and respect at school. and you mean forcing teachers to misgender and deadname kids whose parents won't sign off on their trans kid being respected. I'm lighting higgs on fire with my mind

[osmanthusoolong]

“A Canada Post worker says she was suspended after refusing to deliver flyers that compare gender-affirming medical care to child mutilation.

The flyer from Campaign Life Coalition, an anti-abortion group based in Hamilton, Ont., calls for a ban on "child sex-change."

Shannon Aitchison said she is the mother of a transgender adult and given that gender-affirming surgery is only available to people aged 18 and above, believes the wording of the flyers is harmful and discriminatory against transgender people.

"It's misinformation. It is lies and misinformation being presented as truth," she said.

This is the third flyer sent by the group since August. The first two were in support of the Blaine Higgs government's changes to Policy 713, requiring parental consent before school staff can use a child under the age of 16's chosen name and pronouns.

Higgs's campaign manager, Steve Outhouse, has previously said the Progressive Conservatives have "no involvement with this flyer or the actions" of the group.

The most recent flyer calls for banning gender-affirming health care for youth.”

“The Medical Consent of Minors Act in New Brunswick gives anyone 16 years or older the right to consent to medical treatment, including taking medications, such as hormones, or going to counselling. Medical professionals may grant parental-consent exceptions for younger teens who are deemed mature enough to make decisions.

Gender-affirming surgeries are available for those over 18 years of age in New Brunswick.”

…

“Aitchison said she's delivered mail in the past that she personally didn't agree with, but the flyer goes a step further.

"This is the first time I have ever drawn a line in the sand and said … I will not be party to delivering propaganda," she said.”

…

“When the first of these flyers showed up in New Brunswick mailboxes last month, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers said its workers "have been given the option of not delivering the offensive material if it would cause them mental anguish or if they fear for their health and safety."”

…

“It's not clear whether the option was given by the union or Canada Post, and why Aitchison was suspended despite what the union said. The union has not yet responded to CBC questions on the issue.

After three days of suspension, Aitchison said she had a disciplinary meeting and is still awaiting a decision. She said the union has filed a grievance on her behalf.”

I really hope she wins, this is horrendous.

@allthecanadianpolitics

[allthecanadianpolitics]

As more provinces mention parental rights when it comes to name and pronoun changes for kids in schools, nursing professor and author Martha Paynter says it’s “very discouraging.”

“We know that already LGBTQ youth are disproportionately likely to experience mental illness, homelessness, substance use disorders, and of course, most concerningly, suicidality,” Paytner, an assistant professor at the University of New Brunswick, says.

The premise of the arguments made by some provinces is the need to inform parents about changes to their child’s preferred names or pronouns.

On the surface, it makes sense for parents to have a high level of involvement in their child’s upbringing. But Paynter says we need to be cautious about those who don’t have a safe space.

“If a child is not telling their parents something, it’s because the child is afraid of the parent,” she says. “In this country, we do not have parental rights. You do not govern your child like you own a pet. Rather, we have children’s rights.” [...]

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Tagging: @politicsofcanada

[city-of-ladies]

Genmei (661-721) was Japan's fourth empress regnant. She was Empress Jitō's half-sister and her match in terms of ambition and political skills. Her rule was characterized by a development of culture and innovations. 

Ruling after her son

Like Jitō (645-703), Genmei was the daughter of Emperor Tenji but was born from a different mother. Jitō was both her half-sister and mother-in-law since Genmei had married the empress’ son, Prince Kusakabe (662-689). She had a son with him, Emperor Monmu (683-707). 

Kusakabe died early and never reigned, which led to Jitō's enthronement. The empress was then succeeded by her grandson Monmu. The latter’s reign was short. In his last will, he called for his mother to succeed him in accordance with the “immutable law” of her father Tenji. Genmei accepted. 

Steadfast and ambitious 

Genmei was made from the same mold as her half-sister. She proved to be a fearless sovereign, undeterred by military crises. 

She pursued Jitō's policies, strengthening the central administration and keeping the power in imperial hands. Among her decisions were the proscription of runaway peasants and the restriction of private ownership of mountain and field properties by the nobility and Buddhist temples. 

Another of her achievements was transferring the capital at Heijō-kyō (Nara) in 710, turning it into an unprecedented cultural and political center. Her rule saw many innovations. Among them were the first attempt to replace the barter system with the Wadō copper coins, new techniques for making brocade twills and dyeing and the settlement of experimental dairy farmers.

A protector of culture

Genmei sponsored many cultural projects. The first was the Kojiki, written in 712 it told Japan’s history from mythological origins to the current rulers. In its preface, the editor Ō no Yasumaro praised the empress:

“Her Imperial Majesty…illumines the univers…Ruling in the Purple Pavillion, her virtue extends to the limit of the horses’ hoof-prints…It must be saif that her fame is greater than that of Emperor Yü and her virtue surpasses that of Emperor Tang (legendary emperors of China)”.

In 713, she ordered the local governments to collect local legends and oral traditions as well as information about the soil, weather, products and geological and zoological features. Those local gazetteers (Fudoki) were an invaluable source of Japan’s ancient tradition.

Several of Genmei’s poems are included in the Man'yōshū anthology, including a reply by one of the court ladies. 

Listen to the sounds of the warriors' elbow-guards;

Our captain must be ranging the shields to drill the troops.

– Genmei Tennō

Reply:

Be not concerned, O my Sovereign;

Am I not here,

I, whom the ancestral gods endowed with life,

Next of kin to yourself

– Minabe-hime

From mother to daughter 

Genmei abdicated in 715 and passed the throne to her daughter, empress Genshō (680-748) instead of her sickly grandson prince Obito. This was an unprecedented situation, making the Nara period the pinnacle of female monarchy in Japan. 

Genmei would oversee state affairs until she died in 721. Before her death, she shaved her head and became a nun, becoming the first Japanese monarch to take Buddhist vows and establishing a long tradition.

Feel free to check out my Ko-Fi if you like what I do! Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Further reading

Shillony Ben-Ami, Enigma of the Emperors Sacred Subservience in Japanese History

Tsurumi Patricia E., “Japan’s early female emperors”

Aoki Michiko Y., "Jitō Tennō, the female sovereign",in: Mulhern Chieko Irie (ed.), Heroic with grace legendary women of Japan

[fixomnia-scribble]

I am not a sweary person, as you know but:

SERIOUSLY WHAT THE FUCK.

Provincial Conservatives on opposite sides of the country making jaw-dropping headlines during National Truth & Reconciliation Day.

"Sherry Wilson said the federal system of forcing tens of thousands of First Nations, Inuit and Métis children into the schools was "only allowed to happen because children enrolled in school were isolated from their parents' oversight, input and influence."

She implied there was a parallel between that and the province's original Policy 713 — which allowed 2SLGBTQ+ students to adopt names and pronouns at school without their parents knowing."

And this:

"[Conservative candidate] Rustad said if his party wins the Oct. 19 provincial election, B.C. would partner with First Nations and "unleash the potential" for prosperity through mining, forestry and other resource projects.

He has previously pledged to repeal B.C. legislation adopting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Instead, his party said in a release, it would honour the declaration "as it was intended," with laws advancing economic reconciliation and Indigenous autonomy."

[thesuburbanerd]

“The policy, which was introduced in 2020, lays out minimum requirements for school districts to create a safe, welcoming learning environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and two-spirited students.”

The government says it’s “reviewing” the policy after claiming to have received “hundreds of complaints” from parents and teachers.

From what I’ve read elsewhere it seems some of the objections stem from the a perception that kids will somehow be able to transition without their parents’ knowledge. What actually happens is they can choose new pronouns and names to use at school without notifying their parents.

All of which seems sensible to me but I think people opposed to it have been taken in by unfounded, dangerous theories about 2SLGBTQIA people and are taking their instruction from certain US states.

Tagging @allthecanadianpolitics

[ns-sprite-editz]

And a second set.

These are free to use, no need to credit.

[newsfromstolenland]

hey im not sure if you were aware of this, but an organization called Action4Canada has organized 77 anti-trans protests throughout Canada, and I was wondering if you could make a post regarding the protests and counter-protests?

if you're referring to the ones that took place yesterday, here:

Thousands of protesters and counter-protesters in cities across Canada have clashed over the rights of trans children and youth. The “1 Million March 4 Children” on Sept. 20 is part of a widespread and growing “parental rights” movement targeting inclusive public education.

This movement has already influenced provincial politics in Canada, including via Policy 713 in New Brunswick, where youth under 16 years of age are now required to obtain parental consent before they can change their name and pronouns at school.

This article also debunks the bullshit "parental rights" arguments, and compares it to the homophobic Anita Bryant fiasco

and here's an article about action4canada specifically: