Collaborative Proposal Creation
Create, improve and sponsor proposals in a respectful, fully bilingual environment. Grow proposals in the "Hothouse", for promotion to the "Workshop", to become official GPC policy.
The Green Party of Canada recognizes that: trans men are men; trans women are women; there are many gender identities and expressions within, and outside of, the traditional gender binary of man and woman; a gender spectrum exists and is valid; and that gender identity, expression and chosen pronouns are to be respected.
Type of Proposal
Public policy that the party would represent
Objective / Benefit
This policy is drafted to bring us in line with our fellow Greens across the world to formally clarify our support for non-binary and trans Canadians and those with gender identities beyond the traditional identities of man and woman. Inspired by updates to the Green Party of England and Wales’ policy documentation and as a response to growing transphobia in Canada and elsewhere.
If your proposal replaces an existing policy or policies, which one does it replace?
This policy does not replace, but updates, an existing policy: G16-P011 - Advancing the Equality of LGBTQ+ Canadians
List any supporting evidence for your proposal
Green Party of England and Wales' Rights and Responsibilities (under Trans Rights): https://policy.greenparty.org.uk/our-policies/long-term-goals/rights-and-responsibilities/
Does this proposal affect any particular group and what efforts have been made to consult with the group or groups?
This proposal is designed to positively push for formal recognition of trans and non-binary people by the Green Party of Canada, and to instill formal recognition of gender identity. No direct contact has been made as of writing this proposal on August 5th, but the time crunch for proposals to gain sponsors leads me to put this out first and field consultation following, which may lead to further updates.
Jurisdiction: Is this proposal under federal jurisdiction?
Yes
Please indicate the language the proposal is being submitted in.
English
This proposal has been accepted because:
72.8% of members voted in favour of adopting this motion in the all-member vote.
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@Shel - I really appreciate your openness to this conversation and your willingness to explore different perspectives. I understand your concern about balancing effective messaging with values that resonate widely with the Canadian electorate, especially since we’re all aiming to create a broad, welcoming tent that supports diverse voices and perspectives.
When it comes to affirming trans individuals, the phrase “trans men are men; trans women are women” goes beyond just legal protections—it speaks directly to dignity and recognition. While legal rights are essential, they’re often just the baseline for inclusion. Without the clear, explicit acknowledgment of their identities, many trans people can feel that their true selves are either misunderstood or invalidated, even when the law protects them on paper. This is especially relevant when we think about social environments where acceptance and understanding might lag behind formal protections. Environments which I'd assert definitely exist for trans people today.
The statement isn’t about insisting on biological transformation or physical characteristics; rather, it’s about affirming the reality of gender as something beyond biology—a recognition of each person’s lived experience and personal identity. This affirmation can be profoundly validating for trans individuals who, for much of their lives, may face skepticism, hostility, erasure, or discrimination simply for existing as who they are.
In this sense, including this statement is a way for us, as a party, to publicly and unambiguously commit to honouring everyone’s identity fully. It's a reminder that our commitment to inclusion isn’t just legalistic; it’s deeply human and empathetic. By standing firm in this language, we’re fostering a culture of respect, not just within the party but as a statement to Canadian society as a whole. And that explicit, unequivocal respect will definitely wins us more votes, I think.
I hope this sheds some light on why this phrase holds so much importance for many members and allies.
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