Protecting trans youth in Alberta and across the country with Egale Canada

Earlier this year, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced dramatic changes to that province's approach to the healthcare, education, and inclusion of transgender youth. 

READ MORE: In Alberta’s new war on trans people, children will suffer

Since then, queer activists and groups supporting the rights of 2SLGBTQIA folks have come together to challenge and speak out against policies like the ones proposed in Alberta and have done their best to support queer and trans youth across the county.  

This week on rabble radio, Jack Layton Journalism for Change fellow Eleanor Wand sits down with Bennett Jensen, the director of legal at Egale Canada to discuss what’s at stake under the proposed legislation targeting trans youth in Alberta. 

“When there are restrictions on access or information around queer and trans people, that communicates that there is something wrong with being queer or trans.” 

About our guest and Egale Canada

Bennett Jensen (he/him) is the director of legal at Egale Canada where he develops, leads and directs strategic litigation in furtherance of 2SGLBTQI rights. Jensen began his career as a litigator at a leading law firm in New York City, before becoming the deputy head of the firm’s award-winning pro bono practice and leading responses to national rights violations like the Muslim travel ban and the family separation crisis. 

Prior to joining Egale, he served as a policy advisor and then as director of litigation to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada where he supported the passage of the criminal ban against conversion “therapy.” He has been recognized as a Rising Star by the American Bar Association, as one of the LGBTQ+ Bar Association’s Best 40 Lawyers under 40, and, most recently, with the 2024 Canadian Bar Association’s National SAGDA Hero Award.

Egale Canada is the country’s leading 2SGLBTQI rights organization. Egale’s vision is a Canada, and ultimately a world, without homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and all other forms of oppression so that every person can achieve their full potential, free from hatred and bias.

If you like the show please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your podcasts. And please, rate, review, share rabble radio with your friends — it takes two seconds to support independent media like rabble. Follow us on social media across channels @rabbleca.