400 artists join Tegan and Sara in open letter against anti-trans legislation in Canada

The Tegan and Sara Foundation has published an open letter signed by some of Canada’s most celebrated artists, totalling 400 signatures, including Neil Young, Alanis Morissette, Mac DeMarco, Elliot Page, Rufus Wainwright, Elvis Costello, Sarah McLachlan, Carly Rae Jepsen, Feist and several others.

The letter, titled 'Artists Against Anti-Trans Legislation in Canada,' was published on 31st March, which also marked Transgender Day of Visibility.

Spearheaded by indie-pop sibling duo Tegan and Sara, the open letter explicitly opposes the recent and ongoing legislation that limits the rights of transgender people in several Canadian provinces.

Today on #TransgenderDayofVisibility, the @teganandsarafdn announces an Open Letter: Artists Against Anti-Trans Legislation in Canada, signed by more than 400 artists living in or hailing from Canada.https://t.co/W6LXBaIQY3 pic.twitter.com/kOmWyCLkC2

— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) March 31, 2024

In February, Alberta premier Danielle Smith revealed sweeping changes to policies aimed at restricting certain medical treatments, such as hormone therapy, puberty blockers and gender-affirming surgery for anyone under 15 years of age, and banning gender-related surgery for minors. She also put forward a ban on transgender women competing in women’s sports leagues.

Last year, the New Brunswick and Saskatchewan provinces proposed a parental consent requirement before schools can honour the chosen names and pronouns of gender-diverse and gender-fluid students under 16 years of age.

At present, anti-trans legislation has not been signed into Canadian law, but the proposed policies in several provinces add to “the global attack on the trans community and their access to inclusive spaces, healthcare and freedoms.”

“Everyone deserves access to crucial healthcare services that affirm them. Anyone holding a historically-excluded identity knows what it’s like to be treated differently because of who they are,” the letter reads. “The anti-trans policies taking root in Canada go beyond discrimination - they present a clear risk to the mental and physical well-being of trans individuals throughout the country.

“As artists, we know the danger of a social and political environment that restricts expression, exploration, individuality and self-determination. We want to keep living in a world that celebrates the beauty of difference, because difference and art go hand in hand. We also believe in the power of using our voices for those who aren’t being heard.

“We, the undersigned artists from Canada, stand against these alarming and destructive policies, and call on the general public to turn their attention to a growing problem in our country.”

For a complete list of all signatories, and to read the letter in full, please see here.