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This summer, Manitoba made history. With the passing of Bill 43, the province’s Human Rights Code now explicitly protects gender expression.

In plain terms, that means people cannot be discriminated against because of how they express their gender — whether through pronouns, clothing, names, or other outward expressions of identity. For many, this change provides validation and safety. It sends a message: in Manitoba, everyone deserves to live authentically, without fear of exclusion.

Some critics raised concerns about free speech, as reported in the news. But legal experts are clear: the Human Rights Code already balances rights. What Bill 43 does is close a gap — ensuring protections extend to everyday realities of gender expression.

For our northern and Indigenous communities, where barriers can be higher and resources fewer, this matters deeply. At Kíwétinohk, we bring this law to life through workshops like Reclaiming Two-Spirit & Indigiqueer Identities and Two-Spirit & Gender-Diverse Care in the North. These sessions foster understanding, dialogue, and action that ripple out to create safer spaces.

Bill 43 is not the end of the road — it’s a beginning. By working together, communities can move from policy on paper to lived change on the ground.

Sources

• Centre for Human Rights Research. Bill 43 – the Human Rights Code Amendment Act: Adding Gender Expression as a Protected Characteristic (2025).
  
  

• Global News. Manitoba Tories say bill to protect gender expression could infringe on free speech (2025).