Transgender Day of Visibility Statement 2023

Erasing transgender and gender identities is a harmful act of hate. The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is compelled to speak out, especially given recent events in school boards and our public schools. No one’s identity should be up for debate.

We are seeing a disturbing rise in hate against transgender people worldwide. It is incumbent upon us to use this moment to show inclusion and active allyship with people of diverse gender identities and gender expressions that do not conform to stereotypical ideas about what it means to be a girl/woman or boy/man in society. 

The 2019 TransPulse Canada-wide study found that 59 per cent of non-binary respondents reported being misgendered daily. Unsurprisingly, those who reported being misgendered infrequently, on a yearly or less basis (11 per cent), had lower anxiety and depression scores and greater psychological well-being. The study results reflect a clear indication that misgendering has negative impacts on health and well-being.

ETFO believes in and works to ensure the rights, safety, and inclusion of all transgender people, which includes:

• the right to an inclusive and respectful working environment, free of discrimination and harassment;
• addressing all transgender members by their chosen pronoun, name and gender;
• the right to an accessible and safe washroom facility, and the right to use washrooms that best correspond to their gender identity, regardless of the gender assigned at birth, and
• the right to dress according to their gender expression.

Our union is committed to social justice, equity and progress in our public schools and communities.  ETFO believes strongly in speaking out against all forms of hate and oppression, and advocates for the elimination of all forms of violence in publicly funded schools. 

Already Canada has taken a leadership role in providing inclusive options for data collection in the census population to include gender and the precision of “at birth” to the sex question. This is one of many necessary systemic changes. We encourage governments at all levels, school boards, and employers to continue providing inclusive environments for all young people, especially non-binary and transgender students, to thrive and be safe. ETFO urges school boards and all education staff to challenge gender stereotypes and integrate trans-positive content into the teaching of all subject areas following school board policies, procedures, provincial legislation, and Ontario’s Human Rights Code.

As educators, we cannot continue to add to the isolation, lack of support for mental and physical health, and oppression that transgender people face each day. Through our work and advocacy, we will learn, act, and demonstrate active allyship to ensure that all transgender people are included, welcomed, and that their rights are both respected and upheld. 

As the union representing 83,000 elementary educators, silence is not an option. What kind of acceptance or safety in schools can students or families expect if educators fail to teach or acknowledge that diversity and differences strengthen our communities and must be respected? Silence only emboldens hate.