Trans Albertans are strong. We aren’t going anywhere

Trans Albertans reflect on what makes their home province special, even in the wake of Premier Danielle Smith’s legislative attacks and book restrictions

By Hal Monitor • October 5, 2026 8:59 am EDT

Alberta premier Danielle Smith has made international headlines as her government has introduced Canada’s most restrictive anti-trans policies in recent years, including a slate of school library restrictions that will see many queer and trans books pulled from shelves. Here, comics artist Hal Monitor reflects on her experience as a trans Albertan and the solidarity of trans people facing down government censorship. This comic is part of Comics Against Censorship, a five-part series of original comics tackling the history, impact and fight against LGBTQ2S+ censorship. Read the full series here.

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Halifax Monitor Hays (she/her) is an English-speaking cartoonist based in Vancouver, British Columbia. She has been published by Renegade Arts Entertainment, the Seattle Gay News, Xtra Magazine, and currently has ongoing projects with Gytha Cooperative, Diskette Press, and is hard at work as the creative director of Crabmouth Comix. When not drawing comix Hal can be found watching baseball, gazing longingly at the ocean, or lezzing out as much as humanly possible. Her work can be found under the handle @hal-monitor in most corners of the internet.