Dec 21, 2019
The bad faith 'debate' about trans human rights
Mercedes Allen
The "gender critical debate" is designed to disallow any conclusion that trans people exist, let alone that they should have rights or be accommodated in society in any way.
Mercedes Allen
Mercedes Allen is a graphic designer and advocate for transsexual and transgender communities in Alberta. She writes on equality, human rights, LGBT and sexual minority issues in Canada, and the cross-border pollination of far-right spin. She blogs at Dented Blue Mercedes and operates a trans information website at http://www.albertatrans.org/
Nov 22, 2019
Alberta's conscience chronicles
Mercedes Allen
Alberta's conscience rights in health care -- Bill 207 -- not only codifies a problematic exemption in law, it widens those powers considerably. Here are what problems can arise.
Aug 2, 2019
Human rights sky not falling in B.C. genital waxing case
Mercedes Allen
Trans human rights protections were never meant to be used to force cis women to touch a penis that they did not consent to. But here's the secret: they don't.
Jul 17, 2019
On 'unalienable' human rights
Mercedes Allen
The U.S. State Department's Commission on Unalienable Rights poses concerns for LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive and sex-based rights, the rights of migrants, and more.
May 11, 2019
U.S. religious conservatives want to make abortion 'unthinkable.' What do they mean?
Mercedes Allen
When Ontario MPP Sam Oosterhoff pledges to make abortion "unthinkable in our lifetime," it's helpful to look at religious conservative media for clues as to what he might mean.
Mar 25, 2019
The 'Alberta Advantage' was dependence
Mercedes Allen
Albertans looked to Rachel Notley to lead them through a transition, and somewhere along the way, industry convinced the government and the public alike that the transition needed was a pipeline.
Sep 18, 2018
Support trans youth, say pediatricians
Mercedes Allen
The American Academy of Pediatrics released a policy statement affirming support for transgender and gender-diverse youth and emphasizing the need for their acceptance.
Dec 6, 2017
Free speech is not a neutral proposition with equal enfranchisement
Mercedes Allen
By telling their stories and asserting themselves as authorities on their own experiences, trans* people have already changed the debate. As a result, opponents have weaponized free speech.
Dec 4, 2017
Navigating free speech when the 'debate' is you, and you're not invited
Mercedes Allen
There's a duplicitous game of sleight-of-hand that is taking place in discussions about freedom of speech in academia and the public square.
May 31, 2017
What the 'Walk on the Wild Side' controversy says about trans* awareness and a changing social movement
Mercedes Allen
How the controversy surrounding the song "Walk on the Wild Side" reflects the changes that take place as a social movement -- in this case, trans* activism -- matures.
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