Southwest Saskatchewan Pride is speaking out after Scott Moe's recent comments about trans children in school changing rooms.
Moe stated after a single complaint was made regarding trans youth in a school changeroom, he will enact a policy if reelected that will enforce rules based on biological sex for which changing room children may use.
Theo Houghtaling, a member at large with Southwest Saskatchewan Pride, is lending his voice to the families that have come forward with concerns over this issue.
"We have a parent support group," detailed Houghtaling. "We have drop-in hours. I've talked to people right here in Swift Current. There's been a sharp increase in suicidality and trans youth ever since Bill 137, an increase in bullying and hate speech, and it's reasonable to assume that the more that Scott Moe targets trans kids with cruel and baseless policies, the worse that's going to get."
Houghtaling highlighted how making changing room policy the first priority if Scott Moe is reelected is a disservice in the face of other policies in need of address like healthcare, housing, and education.
"He's ignoring most people's priorities and doing so at the expense of an already vulnerable population.
"Trans kids are just kids. They're here, they are real. They are your neighbours and your classmates. Trans kids like all kids deserve to be safe at school."
In response to this move from the Sask Party leadership, Houghtaling is asking for people to go out and vote. Even if the Sask Party is reelected, Houghtaling believes there will be a need for real dialogue on this new policy and how it is enforced.
"These are policies that (Moe) isn't even explaining how he intends to implement them," said Houghtaling. "How exactly does he plan to verify the sex of a child and how would that be appropriate to do at a school? I think there are a lot of really legitimate questions to ask about this policy, whether it gets enacted or not."
Houghtaling addressed those running for MLA in Swift Current. First, he highlighted how NDP candidate Jay Kimball has been an active supporter of Southwest Saskatchewan Pride.
"I would say thank you to him for that."
For Everett Hindley, he felt that perhaps there was some disconnect between individual belief and party belief.
"I don't feel that these policies reflect who he seems to be as a person," said Houghtaling. "I would like him to challenge them because they're not in the best interests of youth, and they're not in the best interests of health in our province or schools. They're just putting a political wedge issue on the backs of actual children."
Buffalo Party member Constance Maffenbeier, had made comments during the MLA candidate forum hosted by the Swift Current & District Chamber of Commerce earlier in the month that he felt could be deserving of further discussion, mainly surrounding her stating she didn't understand why something like pronoun proficiency was needed.
"If she doesn't understand, I'd like her to give me a call and I can help her understand why it's important," said Houghtaling. "You know why? Maybe she wasn't aware of these issues until now, and that just because you didn't know about it before, it doesn't mean you can't learn."
Any youth experiencing mental distress is encouraged to reach out to their healthcare provider. Houghtaling recommended the It Gets Better Program as a resource that trans and other 2SLBGTQIA+ youth can make use of.
"Even if a politician is targeting you and making your life way harder than it needs to be, we're going to keep fighting," said Houghtaling. "We're going to keep trying to make our community safer for everyone."