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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Catholic School Board Rejects Trans Man Because of Gender
October 2, 2009
Catholic School Board Rejects Trans Man Because of Gender
The Greater St. Albert Catholic School Board is being brought before the Alberta Human Rights Tribunal for firing Jan Buterman. Buterman was by all accounts a good substitute teacher and his employers even admit that he “served the schools well.” His crime was not related to his performance on the job, but to the fact that he began as a she.
In a letter issued in October 2008 deputy superintendent Steve Bayus stated, “Since you made a personal choice to change your gender, which is contrary to Catholic teachings, we have had to remove you from the substitute teacher list.” Catholic Church doctrine under Pope Benedict XVI has staunchly opposed gender theory and gender reassignment surgery.
“The school board is arguing that transgendered people can only be acceptable to the church as long as they don’t become their gender” said Helen Kennedy, Executive Director of Egale. “Sadly, this is what we’ve come to expect from Catholic School Boards, which still fire people, mostly women, for having premarital sex.”
The teachers union which represents Buterman has filed the case with the Tribunal and has expressed their full support. Since his termination Buterman has also been an eloquent and outspoken advocate of trans rights within the province.
Egale Canada is Canada’s LGBT human rights organization: advancing equality, diversity, education, and justice.
For more information:
Helen Kennedy, 416-642-5027