EDITORIAL: Alberta’s pronoun consent rules are putting vulnerable kids in danger

Alberta’s recent changes to the Education Act, which took effect last fall, require schools to notify, and in many cases. secure parental consent before students under 16 can use a preferred name or pronouns, and before any classroom material that deals primarily with sexual orientation, gender identity, or human sexuality (SOGI) can be taught. Supporters of such laws characterize them as a straightforward defence of so-called "parental authority" and age-appropriate learning.

However, the evidence from school climate research suggests such policies are more likely to isolate students who are already at risk.

A major 2011 national survey by Egale Canada found that 70% of students heard homophobic or transphobic comments every day in school, with nearly one in ten of those comments coming from teachers.