Navigating the anti-2SLGBTQIA+ wave
Pride at Work Canada was founded in 2008 to promote more inclusive workplaces for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Over the years, this organization has witnessed several positive changes for the people we serve, including labour rights, the ban on conversion therapy and changes in the blood donation eligibility criteria. At the same time, we have never let our guard down in the continuous fight against discrimination and ignorance as they continue to exist.
The organization understands the importance of educating people on topics to promote a more inclusive and peaceful society. In recent years, we have engaged and advised our partners, network and communities about the rise in hate against certain groups of people because of gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. Equipped with studies and data collection, we know that trans communities are more vulnerable than others. We also value and celebrate their contributions to the rights advancements our communities experienced in the past decades.
It’s not a surprise that the recent anti-2SLGBTQIA+ and hateful movement decided to target trans folks, and the September 20th demonstrations are just the tip of the discriminatory iceberg. With the excuse of protecting their children, demonstrators end up putting the 2SLGTBQIA+ kids, youth and families at risk. We have to protect all children, including trans and queer kids. Eliminating meaningful curriculum and policies from Canadian schools would help them maintain the status quo and remove fundamental human rights from groups forced to live on the edges of society.
Together, we can create and live in a country without space for hate, in a nation where every individual can achieve their full potential at school and work, regardless of gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. To do so, we share some calls to actions:
- Provide a formal organizational statement affirming your commitment to 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion, community protection, and no space for hate
- Promote educational opportunities among your colleagues and peers
- Create space and options for trans and queer employees to engage in their community initiatives
- Make room for parents of 2SLGBTQIA+ children and youth to contribute to the discussion in protecting their children’s rights
- Support the Society for Queer Momentum campaign #FactsOverFear, which aims to create safe spaces for trans and queer students and contributes to other initiatives focused on getting the Federal and provincial governments to act against rising hate:
- #FactsOverFear:
- Donate to a community organization and engage with them for other kinds of support
- Calling yourself an ally? Live up to and get informed of the dire situations 2SLGBTQIA+ people have found themselves in
If you are a member of our 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, know that you are not alone and keep yourself safe. In times like these, the resources below could be vital:
- Pride defense guide (in English): https://www.antihate.ca/pride_defence_guide
- Umbrella Mental Health Network (in English): https://www.umhn.ca/
- Trans Lifeline (in English and Spanish): https://translifeline.org/hotline/
- Interligne (in English and French): https://interligne.co/
- LGBT Youthline (in English): https://www.youthline.ca/
- CCGSD (in English): https://ccgsd-ccdgs.org/