With the current focus on unconscious biases being such a prevalent discussion these days I think it’s important to reflect on how so many in our society came to embrace gender ideology, either wholly or in part.  As Lesbians, Gay and Bisexuals we likely have some familiarity with how gendered expectations influence how heterosexual often view homosexual relationships.  “Who is the woman/man in the relationship?” is a remark many of us are very familiar with hearing. It is also a part of the struggle for many of us to come to terms with our sexual orientation as there is arguably nothing more outside of traditional gender norms that two people of the same sex passionately kissing each other (let alone having sex). I don’t think I am alone in my experience that the bold self-acceptance of my sexual orientation – something I consider the essence of “Pride” - came from a rejection of the social construct of gender as inherently homophobic. The fact that so many heterosexuals now embrace an ideology that reinforces gendered understandings of the self should not be a complete surprise given the traditional prominence of gender roles in mainstream society.  However, the assertion that we all have an innate gender, that those of us who do not fit gendered norms are somehow in the wrong body and that a non-conforming young child should be encouraged to take on a trans identity without fully comprehending the implications of such a decision takes the concept of homophobia to another level entirely.  

In our fight against gender ideology I think it is critical point out that similar contrarian outcomes exist in other contemporary social movements embraced by Western societies in recent years.  Anti-racism promotes racism under the banner of “equity” and intersectionality promotes the idea of “anti-oppression” based on a hierarchy of “oppressed” traits meant to divide and rank society into groups of people who are more or less deserving of attention based on immutable characteristics. Like gender ideology, these belief systems usually deny any questions or critique by attacking those who pose them with claims of “bigotry”, “hate” and/or “phobia”.  

As we dare to point out that the Emperor wears no clothes when it comes to gender ideology’s lack of logic and denial of science, we need to remember that adherents to this belief system are not usually  open to any debate of competing ideas for the purposes of building public consensus on the matter. Although open discussion that allows for questioning and critique is essential to the maintenance of democracy, human rights and political plurality, we are told that “trans rights are not up for debate” - as if any potential threat to women’s and children’s right to be free of discrimination based on sex is also not up for discussion, including a parent’s right to provide direction on what guidance is in their child’s best interests (as per the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child). If one is unwilling to have their view subject to examination to weigh the argument’s strength and weaknesses, the only way to ensure this view is accepted and enforced by our institutions is to outlaw such examination. 

In the case of gender ideology this means declaring open debate as hateful/bigoted/unsafe/dangerous and using slogans such as “Trans lives matter” to dissuade any dissidence - as if questioning itself means one does not consider trans lives as important. It is incredibly important to acknowledge that the fight for a more tolerant and accepting society is the goal for many trans people and we should never equate this current strain of trans activism as representative of the average trans person’s view. In fact, we know from many examples that trans people who speak in opposition are being bullied and harassed by the same radical trans activists that seek to silence others. All this amounts to the removal of safeguarding for women and children, creating an atmosphere where the likelihood of real hate and intolerance can flourish and a situation where those of us within the LGB and T communities who want to give voice to our concerns are harassed and bullied for not falling in line. 

While I am not an overly religious man, I do believe that for us to be effective in our clarion call for Canadians to reject gender ideology we must exorcize this devil by calling it by it’s name: authoritarianism. Understanding the method to this madness and calling out the doublespeak of these illiberal social movements as authoritarian and intolerant presents us with the opportunity to gather forces within our community and outside of it with likeminded Canadians who are also greatly concerned by this phenomenon but feel they have no means to oppose it. Our fight for a more compassionate and progressive country does not find strength in silencing but in empowering people to speak up. History clearly shows us that a lack of public pressure against intimidation tactics meant to silence public scrutiny only makes the authoritarian tendency of these movements stronger. 

However it would be irresponsible to suggest that standing up against such intimidation carries no risk.  It seems that overnight many of us have woken up to a Canada where to question some of the claims of gender ideology is already considered “hate” and as such questions are not tolerated or at least require the questioner go through linguistic and performative gymnastics to prove their questions are not fueled by hate to avoid being reprimanded (let alone even being heard). And daring to speak up is often seen as a social disease by some of your supposed “friends” who may mock your view and/or dissociate from you without the courtesy of seriously entertaining your perspective. In some cases not because they disagree with your concerns (they may in fact even share them), but because they disagree with your expressing them in the public sphere. While all of this may be true at present, how we let our voices be heard need not put us in danger if we are strategic.  For example, if you run the chance of being harassed, reprimanded or fired for expressing gender critical views in your workplace it may be wiser for you to instead volunteer or donate to organizations – like LGB Alliance Canada - who can advocate on your behalf. And if you worry you may lose friends who consider you hateful or stupid for your views you are presented with a valuable opportunity to reevaluate who you consider a friend and why. 

The facts are that we are all in this together and the stakes could hardly be higher. Not least of all for the LGB community which is now witnessing a backlash and attack on our hard-won rights because our traditional advocacy groups and charities are now largely involved in the wholesale promotion of gender ideology including its authoritarian tendencies to silence and attack anyone who questions it. At times like these I think it is important to remember that one of the lessons of the AIDS epidemic was that the compassion that many heterosexuals felt after witnessing the incredible suffering and deaths of so many in our community eventually contributed significantly to us being seen as equally human and equally deserving of compassion and acceptance. With the enforcement of gender ideology in our community’s name we now are losing that compassion and with it the acceptance Canada is known for along with the rights and freedoms of our most vulnerable. 

The authoritarian elite who seek to harass and silence cannot bear the light of reason, rational thought, open discourse and debate. Demanding we make room for exactly that – however which way is right for us – will help us reclaim the Canada we love by putting this dangerous genie back in it’s bottle. Now is the time.  Do what you can and let us unite in common purpose. The struggle to maintain our rights and freedoms and ensure our most vulnerable are protected is a collective struggle for humanity. Together we can ensure Canadians and their political representatives are aware that we – as Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals - are not onboard with the promotion of gender ideology in the name of their community’s inclusion and that is a completely respectable position for good reasons. To continue to live our lives as free and proud members of society should not involve speaking down to others and forced adherence to dubious belief systems that deny questioning let alone endanger the protection of our most vulnerable. 

Ultimately, we are all human and united by this if we choose to care. Advocating for respect, compassion and equality based on this shared reality has been key in our fight for LGB inclusion. Advancing and maintaining our inclusion should not involve authoritarian control of speech and debate.  We didn’t win out rights and freedoms through that way and the way out of this mess requires vocal opposition that is firm in pointing out the hypocrisy and dangers of gender ideology and loudly condemns the dehumanizing means currently being employed to enforce it.    

Pronoun police be damned - I identify as Human.