Premier Danielle Smith and her United Conservative Party (UCP) have been banned from participating in Pride events across the province after announcing new anti-transgender policies. The coalition, Queer Citizens United YYC, comprising 14 LGBTQ+ organizations, announced the ban, citing the UCP’s proposed changes to gender-affirming care policies. Earlier this year, Smith’s government promised to implement restrictions, including setting minimum age limits for treatments and requiring parental notification for students changing their names and pronouns at school. Under these guidelines, individuals under 16 would be barred from accessing puberty blockers or hormone therapies unless they had already begun treatment. In a press release addressed to Smith and the UCP, Queer Citizens United YYC declared, “You may not join our celebrations in June when you plan to attack us in September. Queer rights should not be a political decision. Trans rights are human rights.” The coalition includes groups such as Calgary Pride, Pride Corner (Edmonton), Lethbridge Pride, and several others across Alberta. When Global News requested a comment from the Premier’s office, they referred the inquiry to the UCP’s press secretary, who responded, "We support and celebrate all Albertans and will continue to work towards ensuring that everyone feels valued, respected, and at home in Alberta." #Trans Rights