In a recent article, Lisa Bildy examines the implications of a ruling by the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal, in which former school board trustee Barry Neufeld was ordered to pay $750,000 for criticizing a curriculum incorporating gender ideology. This ruling reflects a significant tension over freedom of speech and the enforcement of beliefs regarding gender identity in educational settings. Bildy argues that rather than being a mere issue of human rights, the situation bears resemblance to historical blasphemy laws, where dissenting voices are penalized under the guise of protecting societal beliefs.

Bildy draws parallels between contemporary human rights tribunals and past blasphemy laws, which punished individuals for challenging the prevailing religious orthodoxy. This historical perspective highlights how societal norms can evolve to suppress individual freedoms under the pretext of protecting marginalized groups. The ruling against Neufeld, who defended the rights of parents to voice concerns about educational content, is portrayed as part of a broader trend where dissent against gender ideology is increasingly silenced, raising concerns about the scope of free speech rights in Canada.

The article suggests that the enforcement of these modern 'beliefs,' though not rooted in religion, effectively serves a similar function by creating an environment where individuals feel threatened or financially penalized for expressing opposition. As the discourse surrounding gender ideology continues to evolve, Bildy calls for a reevaluation of human rights frameworks to ensure that freedom of speech is preserved, urging Canadian society to reflect on the historical lessons surrounding the enforcement of beliefs and its consequences for civil liberties.