LISA SALAZAR — BLOG

This episode of SPOTLIGHT was posted on YouTube on September 10, 2023 In a sensationalized television special on Australia’s 7NEWS Spotlight, titled “Breaking the Silence: The Reality of De-Transitioning,” which they heralded as the most contentious story of the year, the gender-affirming care debate took center stage. Spotlight’s investigative report delved into the highly charged discussions surrounding gender identity, medical interventions, and the ramifications of detransitioning. This program shone a light on two opposing factions in the ongoing dialogue: fervent supporters of the affirmation model, led by advocates like Professor Ian Hickey, and vocal critics, including parents and medical professionals like Dr. Jillian Spencer and Dr. Dylan Wilson. Supporters of the Affirmation Model: Proponents of the affirmation model, such as Professor Ian Hickey, firmly assert that gender clinics in Australia provide indispensable mental and physical health benefits to transgender individua...

In 2019, The United Church of Canada produced "Celebrating Gender Diversity: A Toolkit on Gender Identity and Trans Experiences for Communities of Faith."   I was invited to contribute because of the qualitative and quantitative study I did as part of my MA in 2015 titled "Transgender Spirituality Pulse Survey." This is what I wrote: Beyond Church Walls When I speak with ministers and church people who ask me how they can become affirming and welcoming of trans and non-binary persons, a question is often raised. “Why bother going through all the work of becoming an affirming congregation if, after all the hard work, not many trans persons are going to join my church community?” Because being affirming and welcoming is not fully measured just by how you treat people who enter the four walls of your church or sanctuary. What matters is how the members of your congregation treat trans people out in the world. Consider the following questions—these are just a few. How y...

In advance of a series of marches across Canada on September 20, 2023, a determined Canadian mother and ally to her lesbian daughter founded a Facebook Group on September 10. She aimed to provide a counter-narrative to the “1 Million March for Children” by creating a platform to quash the misinformation promoted against SOGIE and Trans identities. She wanted to foster unity instead. Initially attracting a modest few dozen members, the group mushroomed to over 7,000 individuals across Canada within three weeks, all united by principles of truth, inclusion, and steadfast support. A Beacon Amidst Shadows: 1 Million Voices for Inclusion emerges as a spectrum of love and unity, casting aside the shadows of division and hatred. This movement skillfully weaves a colorful tapestry that encompasses the myriad hues of the human spirit, establishing a robust front against prejudice and misinformation. An Undeniable Force of Inclusivity: More than a mere group, it’s a thriving entity exuding inclu...