Alberta MLA compares transgender surgery to livestock castration
An Alberta MLA used an analogy about farm animals to describe transgender surgery during a debate on a controversial bill.
During Wednesday’s debate on Bill 9, legislation that affects transgender transgender youth concerning schools, sex education, sports, and access to healthcare, Lac Ste. Anne–Parkland UCP MLA Shane Getson compared gender-affirming surgery to castration, likening it to procedures performed on livestock.
“I grew up on the farm, Mr. Speaker. I know what castration is. There’s a difference. You’re not going to grow back those parts if you change your mind. If the steer changes his mind, too late; you’re a steer,” speaking in the legislature, Getson said, urging MLAs to support the bill.
Video of the speech, which was posted online, received swift backlash from commenters.
“Protecting children” is such an incredibly manipulative narrative they keep spinning,” one user wrote on Reddit.
Another said, “Just love when he compared trans health care to a steer getting castrated and how a steer is meant to be a steer or however he worded that (sarcasm). A sombre trans day of Remembrance today.”
Jeff Whyte/Shutterstock
Daily Hive has reached out to Getson’s office for comment.
Bill 9 would use the notwithstanding clause to protect rules that block gender reassignment surgery for minors and restrict puberty blockers and hormones for youth under 16. It would also require parental consent for kids under 16 who want to change their name or pronouns at school, and parental opt-in for lessons about gender or sexuality.
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The bill would also require amateur sport groups to limit women’s and girls’ categories to athletes who were born female.
In a statement, the Alberta government said the move is intended to protect the health and well-being of children and to strengthen the role of parents as a child’s primary caregiver.
“Children deserve the opportunity to grow into adulthood before making life-altering decisions about their gender and fertility,” said Premier Danielle Smith.
“By invoking the notwithstanding clause, we’re ensuring that laws safeguarding children’s health, education and safety cannot be undone – and that parents are fully involved in the major decisions affecting their children’s lives. That is what Albertans expect, and that is what this government will unapologetically defend.”
But human rights groups have argued that invoking the clause endangers transgender and gender-diverse Albertans and violates the spirit of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
“Transgender children deserve protection, and this pattern of overriding children’s rights is deeply alarming and sets dangerous precedents for all people in Canada. The Charter was never meant to be used as a political tool to single out and withdraw protection of vulnerable groups,” said Ketty Nivyabandi, secretary general of Amnesty International Canada’s English-speaking section.