Concerns Over Swift Prescriptions

The Sages of Elderly Committee on gender identity, a working group established by the Legault government, has voiced concerns about the speed at which some young people are receiving hormone prescriptions. Diane Lavallée, the committee’s president, stated:

That doctors, after 15 or 20 minutes, prescribe normal prescriptions to children, for us, it is unacceptable, it should never happen. And even if this is very rare cases, this is not the majority, it is enough to say that it is said to set up a precaution.
Diane Lavallée, President of the Sages of Elderly Committee on gender identity

The committee suggests that schools ensure transgender or non-binary students are evaluated by multiple professionals, especially when parents are not involved.

Recommendations and Suggestions

While the committee’s 215-page document does not contain formal recommendations, it offers several suggestions for the government and schools to consider:

• Schools should offer support “adapted to any student who questions his gender identity or begins a transition to school.”
• Schools should encourage parental support in a student’s gender identity journey.
• When a young person opposes parental involvement or comes from a dysfunctional family,the school should provide increased support.

Ms. lavallée recounted instances where parents were unaware of their child’s transition until the child received a hormone prescription after a brief doctor’s visit.

We had stories told to us [où] The parents were held entirely away and (…) who suddenly learned that the social worker went with the young person to a doctor who prescribed hormones, then 20 minutes later, the young person was out with her hormone prescription.
Diane Lavallée, President of the Sages of Elderly Committee on gender identity

Protests and Reactions

The committee’s press conference was disrupted by transfeminist demonstrators who believe the working group lacks representation from the LGBT+ community. The protesters chanted,”Trans standing women! Dignity for all!” Judith Lefebvre,a spokesperson for the demonstrators,criticized the CAQ government for what she sees as a diversionary tactic.

We have three cisgenres who decide for us!
judith Lefebvre, Transfeminist Demonstrator

The demonstrators were eventually removed by security.

Toilets, Sports, and Broader Policies

Minister Bernard Drainville had already taken action before the report’s release, prohibiting mixed-gender toilets in schools and promoting gender-specific sanitary facilities.

The committee also suggests maintaining separate toilets for boys and girls, while also providing individual, universal restrooms accessible to everyone.

Regarding sports, the Quebec Student Sports Network (CSR) has called for clear and uniform rules for transgender athletes. The Legault government has deferred to the gender identity working group on this issue.

Ms. Lavallée stated that the State should develop guidelines for transgender athletes, as she does not consider herself a “specialist” on the matter.

Demographics

In Quebec, approximately 229,000 people identify as part of sexual minorities, representing 3.3% of the population. Around 9,800 people (0.14%) identify as transgender, and about 6,300 people (0.09%) identify as non-binary.