Tara Armstrong’s recent attempt to dismiss my letter to the editor as “appealing to emotion” and “lacking meaningful argumentation” is a calculated effort to deflect from the real issue: her use of fear-based rhetoric to marginalize transgender people in British Columbia.
Armstrong’s recent opinion piece contains a series of misrepresentations and harmful generalizations about transgender people, particularly trans women and youth. As someone who attempted to engage MLA Armstrong directly—via email and social media—I am disappointed that she has blocked all communication. Ironic when she states that my letter hinders discourse. Unfortunately, this makes public discourse the only remaining avenue to respond.
Armstrong suggests there is a “lack of evidence” supporting gender-affirming care for youth. This is factually incorrect. Organizations such as the Canadian Paediatric Society, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), and the American Academy of Pediatrics have long affirmed that gender-affirming care, when age-appropriate and delivered with clinical oversight, significantly improves mental health outcomes and reduces suicide risk among trans youth.
Contrary to the inflammatory language in her column, gender-affirming care does not involve irreversible procedures for minors without rigorous safeguards. Puberty blockers are fully reversible. Hormone therapy, when prescribed to older teens, follows extensive assessment and consent processes. Surgeries are not performed on minors in Canada without exceptional medical need and professional agreement.
Perhaps most troubling is the way Armstrong frames trans women as a threat to cisgender women’s rights. This is a false and damaging narrative. Under both the Canadian Human Rights Act and the British Columbia Human Rights Code, trans women are recognized as women, and gender identity is a protected ground. The discriminatory language used in Armstrong’s article is not only hurtful—it is contrary to the principles of dignity and equality enshrined in Canadian law.
Protecting women’s rights and including trans women in that protection are not mutually exclusive. We can—and must—do both.
I urge MLA Armstrong to consider whether her words are creating a path for inclusion, supporting the law, and all of her constituents, or reinforcing fear and division by trying to appeal to emotion. And I invite her to return to the conversation—not through opinion, but through evidence-based open, informed, and respectful dialogue.
~Wilbur Turner
