Much of Alberta is reeling this week after a shocking announcement by Danielle Smith and her UCP government that has targeted vulnerable children and youth. Smith has demanded that Alberta schools gain consent from parents in order to use names and pronouns as requested by students that are different from the registered or birth certificate names. This consent is required for all students aged 15 and younger – students aged 16 and 17 will not require consent from parents however the schools will be required to alert parents of these requests. On top of these demands, Smith has decided to mandate how and when medical treatments and procedures can be used by physicians when treating transgender and non-binary youth.

Shortly after Smith’s announcement on her social media pages, her actions were condemned by the federal and municipal governments, as well as multiple agencies that actually work with these youth, including the Alberta Teachers Association and Alberta Medical Association. These entities made it clear to the public that they were not consulted during the decision-making process and promptly denounced the demands, citing concerns about the well-being and safety of trans and non-binary youth.

**At times like this, emotions are running high and many of us are struggling with feelings of fear, sadness, hopelessness, and despair.**

As social workers, we are required by our code of ethics to “advocate for the the rights of all individuals, families, groups, and communities to be free from oppression, exclusion, racism, and discrimination” and “uphold the rights of all people to receive services in a manner that considers intersecting factors of exclusion and respects all manner of diversity”.

Here, you will find a few tips on how we can advocate in our own communities.

Support the Folks WHo Know What They Are Doing

Read the statements and releases from local organizations to learn more about the situation and what their recommendations are for next moves. Follow them on social media, like and share their posts, volunteer with them or donate to the cause if you are inclined. You don’t have to know everything to care about something, it is okay to support those who are already invested in anyway you are comfortable. On the topic of transgender rights, a great starting place could be Centre for Sexuality and Skipping Stone in Calgary.

Start Writing Letters

Writing letters is a great way to show you care and express your concerns. For provincial matters, you can write to your MLA (find out who yours is and how to contact them here); the Premier, and to the Minister of Health for Alberta. You can also write to the opposition party representatives: David Sheppard is the current critic for health (primary & rural care) and Dr Luanne Metz is the current critic for health (emergency & surgical care). You can find useful templates & tips for letter writing online.

Attend RallIEs & Protests in Your Area

Follow organizations who advocate for your beliefs on social media to find out about protests and rallies in your area. Sharing and promoting these events, even if you can’t attend can still be a way to support advocacy.

Use Your Voice - And Take Care of Yourself

Share your thoughts, learnings, and experiences with your friends and family. Help promote educational resources and fact-based details in your day to day interactions. One important consideration to keep in mind is to avoid engaging in battles with trolls on social media. We are rarely going to create change by arguing with folks in comment sections. Know when to leave a conversation that is going nowhere and causing more pain and frustration than growth. Focus your energy intentionally to make the most of your efforts, and remember to rest. Advocacy can be heavy and difficult work, it is crucial to take time away from the computer and the news.

Check on Your Friends

Reach out to your friends and family members who are part of the queer community. Check on them, let them know you see them and you care. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, help is available by calling 9-8-8 . Distress Centre Calgary has a 24 hour phone line, chat, and text service that provides confidential, free & safe support. Unscripted Co. founder Tia also offers counselling services to help sort through thoughts and feelings, you can find all the details on counselling available here.