Honourable Senators,

We, the undersigned, represent a vast coalition of feminist and women’s rights organizations and leaders across Canada. We are writing to voice our support for Bill C-6, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy) as it proceeds to the Senate for consideration. We assert that Bill C-6 is an essential step to protecting all 2SLGBTQ+ (Two-Spirit, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning) people from harm and discrimination, particularly trans and gender-diverse communities. We embrace a trans-inclusive feminism which recognizes that in order to advance all women’s equity, rights, health and safety, we must ensure that the safety and rights of our trans and gender-diverse communities are protected as well. We vehemently reject the harmful rhetoric and ideology of trans exclusive radical “feminists” and others standing in opposition to the passing of Bill C-6.

We hold that subjecting a person to discredited and traumatic therapies with the intent of ‘repairing’ or ‘curing’ them of their gender identity, gender expression, or sexual identity is in clear violation of the Canadian Human Rights Act which specifically legislates the protection of those in Canada from discrimination based on their gender identity, gender expression, and sexual identity. In banning conversion therapy, the implementation of Bill C-6 would codify Canada’s commitments under the Canadian Human Rights Act, providing needed protection for the rights of trans, gender-diverse, and 2SLGBTQ+ folks to live free from harm and discrimination.

A survey led by the Community-Based Research Centre estimated as many as 20, 000 people in Canada have been subject to some form of conversion therapy. Trans and gender diverse communities in particular continue to be impacted by this discriminatory practice. An analysis of this survey found that an astonishing and deeply concerning 20% of trans and gender diverse people in Canada have been subjected to conversion therapy.

Despite Canada’s trans and gender diverse communities being so heavily impacted by conversion therapy, anti-trans activists are violently arguing against any federal legislation, including Bill C-6, that specifically protects people from efforts to forcibly change or repress their gender identity or expression. We are writing to counter the narrative espoused by anti-trans activists and provide an alternative, trans-inclusive voice of support for Bill C-6.

Anti-trans activists argue that Bill C-6’s inclusion of gender identity is a threat to women’s sex-based rights. However, as stated by the Canadian Bar Association, advancing and protecting the rights of trans and gender-diverse communities does nothing to erode the rights of those who identify as women. Defining the concept of women by reference to biological sex is a political choice that is often made to deny the rights and protections of trans and gender diverse communities. Such is true in the case of anti-trans opposition to Bill C-6. By arguing against the bill’s inclusion of gender identity, anti-trans activists are denying the rights of trans and gender diverse communities to be afforded protection from the traumatic, discredited, and oppressive practice of conversion therapy.

Furthermore anti-trans activists suggest that one cannot identify out of material reality (read: biological sex characteristics) and claim that gender affirmation, the main alternative to gender-focused conversion therapy,, causes harm to youth and women. This rhetoric that gender affirmation causes harm is rooted in transphobic assumptions about sex and gender identity that deny the lived experiences and material realities of trans and gender diverse individuals. Anti-trans advocates argue that the conversion therapy ban would cause harm by encouraging gender affirming practices in addressing experiences of gender dysphoria. Yet, research has shown that youth are significantly more likely to thrive when their gender is affirmed. Furthermore, trans and youth health organizations assert that gender affirmation is a much needed approach to managing people’s’ experiences of gender dysphoria and it is conversion therapy that causes unjustifiable harm.

As feminist and women’s rights advocates we hold that Bill C-6 is an essential intervention to protect all trans, gender diverse, and 2SLGBTQ+ people from the traumatic, discriminatory, and scientifically discredited practice of conversion therapy.

Despite the strong foundation of Bill C-6, we encourage the Senate to consider two simple amendments to strengthen the Bill and ensure it protects all 2SLGBTQ+ Canadians from abuse. By building on well-established precedents throughout the Criminal Code, including a no-consent provision would ensure that all Canadians, adults included, are protected from all instances of conversion therapy. We also recommend that the language related to “a practice, treatment or service that related to the exploration and development of an integrated personal identity” be updated to clarify the definition of conversion therapy and reaffirm access to gender-affirming healthcare.

We encourage you to listen to the voices of 2SLGBTQ+ survivors of conversion therapy and 2SLGBTQ+ folks who continue to be impacted by discrimination in Canada, particularly those who belong to trans and gender-diverse communities, by voting in favour of Bill C-6.

Thank you for your time and consideration,