Yesterday, nearly 1,000 people gathered to demonstrate against the Comit\u00e9 de sages. Spring was in the air, and the energy was combative, colorful, queer and festive! At the starting point, in front of 600 Fullum Street (Minist\u00e8re de la famille), we could admire the slogans postered around the area for the occasion, most likely the work of the extraordinary collective Collages f\u00e9minicides Montr\u00e9al. On the other side of the bike path, behind the police, 3 or 4 sad opponents had come to revive their memories of last October's big counter-demonstration.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The demonstration stopped in front of the Radio-Canada building for a second speech. It should be remembered that Radio-Canada recently produced a report that gave pride of place to transphobic conservative speeches, without any scientific or journalistic rigor. From the number of police protecting the building's main entrance, it was clear that Radio-Canada had not forgotten this report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On a ensuite termin\u00e9 notre trajet \u00e0 la Place des Arts. Cette premi\u00e8re grande manif de Nous ne serons pas sages a \u00e9t\u00e9 un succ\u00e8s, et ce ne sera pas la derni\u00e8re!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here we publish the opening speech, a collective effort by the coalition. The other two speeches will be published in the coming days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hello comrades, everyone, welcome and thank you for being here today! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We're here on unceded territory, of which the Kanienkeha:ka nation is the guardian.
Today we gather on this land to fight for the rights of trans and gender diverse people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On December 5th last year, the CAQ government came up with a \"comit\u00e9 de sages\" on gender identity -- a \"comit\u00e9 de sages\", a wise-men -- or wise person, I guess, committee... Setting up this committee, the CAQ chose to embrace the political backlash targeting trans lives here and elsewhere around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The government gave in to the media and moral panic that questions our lives themselves and jeopardizes the conditions for our fulfillment, our safety, and well-being. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This committee is an obvious nod to the latest wave of transphobia happening on this continent and elsewhere. it's obvious that this committee is meant to question the recent legal and social advances, particularly in schools and workplaces, just like any other recent reactionary campaign we've seen in the last decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The CAQ wants to reassure its political base \nwith this new organ for \"wise\" decisions\nand its baseless expertise. But this is about our physical and mental integrity. \nThis affects our daily lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are here today because we know we must fight this wise-whatever committee and the reactionary government that created it. \nWe're fighting for liberation, for trans and nonbinary euphoria!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We demand the immediate dissolution of the comit\u00e9 de sages!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it's made up of 3 cisgender persons with known connections \nto transphobic persons and organizations.
Because we refuse to let the rise of state-sanctioned transphobia spead
But especially because we refuse \nthat non-trans people be considered more reliable sources than us\nwhen it comes to our lives. We know what's best for our communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wisdom and expertise are experiential, first and foremost.
We won't allow our wisdom and our expertise to be put, \nonce again, under State or medical guardianship!
we demand that our knowledges and experiences be, \nnot only listened to, but also truly heard.
not only taken \"seriously\", but also put at the center \nof any decision there is to be made about us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our identities and existences \nare by no means \"problems\" or \"up for debate\". \nOur lives are valid. And they are liveable, because we live them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We urge everyone to intervene wherever they can, \nin private and public spaces, online and offline\nto curb all manifestations of transphobia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Euphoria for trans and nonbinary people \nis more euphoria for everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Against this attack on our lives \nand against everyone's self-determination, we stand up, we fight back!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nA few pictures<\/h4>\n\n\n