Catholic Doctrine Versus Human Rights Legislation: Protecting Albertan Youth in the Washroom Wars

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 50
  In Roundtable Session: Tensions and Realities in Catholic Education

Abstract

In 2016, Alberta published Guidelines for Best Practices: Creating Learning Environments that Respect Diverse Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities, and Gender Expressions, which was an attempt to close a divisive debate concerning washroom use by transgender students known as the “washroom wars.” In response to these guidelines, a video posted by a “concerned Alberta mother” attracted both national and international media attention. This study analyzes media accounts about the Guidelines and the video to illustrate how Alberta’s legislative efforts to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students have come into conflict with Catholic doctrine. Catholic authorities claim their concerns are about protecting youth, but our analysis shows they are ultimately seeking to deny accommodations for LGBTQ students.

Authors

• Tonya D. Callaghan, University of Calgary

• Alix Esterhuizen, University of Calgary

• Zac Wierzbicki, University of Calgary