Toronto producer makes a statement on TIFF red carpet with 'protect trans kids' shirt

Michelle Mama, executive producer of "Summer Qamp," attended the Toronto International Film Festival with an eye-catching top.

Michelle Mama wore a shirt that read
Michelle Mama wore a shirt that read "protect all trans kids" while walking the red carpet at the "Summer Qamp" premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). (Photo by Jeremychanphotography/Getty Images)

Toronto producer Michelle Mama is making a statement on the red carpet.

On Saturday, the executive producer of Canadian documentary "Summer Qamp" used her opportunity in front of photographers to share more than just a pretty look.

The filmmaker kept her fashion casual at the "Summer Qamp" premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), as she rocked a navy blazer, black shorts and running shoes on the red carpet. But, the former executive producer of "Canada's Drag Race" also wore a white shirt that read "protect trans kids" for a touch of boldness.

On top of working on "Summer Qamp," a film that profiles Camp fYrefly — a retreat for queer and trans youth — in rural Alberta, Mama's statement comes at the heels of changing policies affecting trans children in Canada.

Mama is the executive producer of
Mama is the executive producer of "Summer Qamp," which had its world premiere at TIFF. (Photo by Robert Okine/Getty Images)

In June, New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs announced new changes to a protective policy for queer students. Those changes mean teachers in the province will not be required to use the preferred names or pronouns of transgender or non-binary students under the age of 16 without parental consent.

Saskatchewan Education Minister Dustin Duncan announced a similar policy change in August, where teachers must seek parental approval before a student under the age of 16 can change their names or pronouns.

Those changes have caused hundreds of people to protest, with many others voicing their concerns about the province's seemingly moving back in time.

Marci Ien, Canada's minister for women, gender equality and youth, said last week that these policy changes put transgender and non-binary kids in a "life-or-death situation."

In the United States, there have been 83 bills passed in 43 states targeting trans people in 2023 alone. That includes legislation to lay felony charges on people providing gender-affirming care to anyone under the age of 26, forcing venues to be labelled "adult-oriented" if they host drag shows as well as banning books that validate concepts of gender.

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