Tatiana Maslany expresses human rights concerns while being honoured at event in Regina
CBC
Marvel actress Tatiana Maslany criticized the Saskatchewan government's school pronoun law and called attention to the Israel-Hamas conflict during an event in her honour on Wednesday.
The She-Hulk and Orphan Black star was recognized with a special plaque in her hometown of Regina to honour her 2022 induction into Canada's Walk of Fame.
Maslany also received a $10,000 donation to a charity of her choice, and selected Lulu's Lodge, a transitional home in Regina for gender and sexually diverse youth. She got emotional as she thanked the organization for the work they do in the community
"I'm so grateful for Lulu's Lodge for making a space of safety for 2SLGBTQ youth, and for giving them resources that they need to make a life for themselves, the life they dreamed of, the life they deserve," Maslany said.
Maslany's donation comes after the provincial government passed its Parents' Bill of Rights in October, requiring schools to get consent from parents when children under 16 choose to be called by a different name or pronoun.
Maslany called the legislation an "overreach."
"It's absurd. Children have rights. Children are human beings, who have knowledge and who know themselves, and we should be taking cues from them," she said.
Tanny Young, director of operations for the John Howard Society, welcomed the donation, saying it helps keep their doors open for queer youth facing discrimination,
"Parents are disowning their children because of sexual orientation. Trans people are victims of severe violence, and schools won't allow children to use their preferred names and pronouns without parental consent. Homophobia and transphobia are key drivers in youth homelessness," she said.
But local issues were not the only focus. As she stood on stage, a tearful Maslany brought attention to the Israel-Hamas conflict, calling the actions by the Israeli military a genocide.
"We watch and we do nothing, and I would say with whatever platform I have that we can't do nothing, and I would demand that our government demand a ceasefire," she said.
Maslany ended her speech with the words "Free Palestine," later telling reporters that more needs to be done to stop the war, and that actions being taken by both the Canadian and U.S. government make them complicit.
Israel launched its attack on Gaza after Hamas led an assault in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that left 1,200 dead and saw more than 200 civilians and military personnel taken hostage.
The health ministry in Gaza has said Israel's responding offensive in Gaza has killed over 37,000 people, including roughly 14,000 children.
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