By Jawed Anwar

(As believers, we affirm the binary nature of gender and the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman. Attempts to change gender are morally and spiritually consequential, affecting the well-being of humanity.)

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith shared a video on Jan 31 announcing changes to policies in her province regarding students who question their gender identity in education, medicine, and sports.

She outlined her new plan to safeguard children and uphold parental rights in healthcare, education, and sports. Key points include:

1. Prohibiting sex change surgeries and hormone therapies for minors.
2. Requiring parental consent before children can change their names or pronouns.
3. Ensuring fair competition in sports by not allowing biological males to compete against females.

Smith's educational policies follow similar actions taken in New Brunswick and Saskatchewan. Last spring, New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs introduced policy 713, mandating parental consent for name or pronoun changes in schools. Premier Scott Moe of Saskatchewan went further by enacting legislation to protect parental rights.

Following their lead, Premier Smith announced parental consent requirements for name or pronoun changes in Alberta schools for children under 16, and parental notification for 16 to 17-year-olds.

Notably, Smith's medical policy ensures parents are informed about their children's health decisions regarding gender identity, aiming to prevent surprises.

Smith's policies also require parental opt-in for teaching gender ideology in schools, which gives parents more control over their children's education.

However, merely notifying parents may not sufficiently address the underlying issue of gender ideology in classrooms. To truly protect children, gender ideology instruction should be removed entirely.

Smith also announced that all third-party resources related to gender identity for K-12 students must be approved by the government. This reform follows similar actions in Saskatchewan after sexually explicit materials were distributed to students.

Smith's detailed policy includes:

1. Banning "top" and "bottom" surgeries for minors under 17.
2. Restricting puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for children under 15.
3. Requiring parental, physician, and psychologist approval for hormone therapy for 16-17-year-olds.
4. Protecting female athletes by ensuring fair competition.
5. Exploring options for trans athletes to compete in gender-neutral divisions.

While Smith's policy marks progress, Premier Doug Ford of Ontario has opposed similar measures, disappointing parental groups who supported him.

As believers in God, as a faith group (across all faiths), it's important to uphold the belief that there are only two genders: male and female. A male cannot become a female, and vice versa. Sexual relationships are intended solely for a man and a woman within the bonds of marriage, which is considered a sacred union.

Physical differences or abnormalities in genital organs do not alter one's gender. Any attempt to change one's gender is viewed as a sinful act with significant social, moral, and spiritual consequences. Such actions can impede the birth and flourishing of the most precious species on Earth: humanity.

Jawed@SeerahWest.com

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