Pride Month is a celebration of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, non-binary (2SLGBTQQIA+[1]) people and communities.

Pride recognizes the rights and achievements of people belonging to these communities: accomplished queer persons across history, the right to marry, attained aspects of legal equality, and the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in the Ontario Human Rights Code[2] are some examples. The observation of Pride by businesses, brands and school boards has occurred for many years across Canada and the United States.

This year, however, Pride Month and 2SLGBTQQIA+ rights are facing escalating intolerance. Egale Canada, Canada’s leading organization for 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and issues, tracked over 6000 anti-2SLGBTQI protests and instances of online hate in Canada in the first three months of 2023 alone. The organization notes: “There’s a rising tide of hate in this country”[3] against 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres (OCRCC) stands in solidarity with Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual and non-binary people in the face of hate, fear and intolerance.

With gains comes resistance: Pride and 2SLGBTQQIA+ rights in Canada

Canada has a long history in the struggle for 2SLGBTQQIA+ rights. In 1971, people from Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and the surrounding areas gathered at Parliament Hill for Canada’s First Gay Liberation Protest and March. They presented a petition to the government with a list of ten demands for equal rights and protections[4].

Toronto, Ontario has held Pride events since the early 1970s. For many years, these meaningful initiatives saw resistance from leaders, including those in regional and federal government. From 1985 until 1990, while Toronto Pride events and attendance continued to rise, Pride requested official recognition each year, but was refused. In 1991, City Council proclaimed Pride Day for the first time[5].

Certainly, participation in and endorsement of Pride by community leaders has helped to bolster Pride awareness and attendance, as well as condemn acts of violence against the community. Members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community have led Pride to reflect the evolving lives and concerns of diverse 2SLGBTQQIA+ people: “the twin threats of violence and oppression toward the LGBTQ community underline the ongoing necessity of Pride Month as a political act first, a party second”[6]. In recent years, trans, gender non-binary and gender non-conforming people have been fighting for rights and making considerable gains: increased awareness about the inclusion and needs of trans and gender diverse youth, the respectful use of correct pronouns, and the reality of transphobic violence in everyday spaces, particularly gender-segregated spaces such as washrooms and sports teams, are a few examples.

With these social justice advances, however, also comes resistance. “Whenever there’s some kind of steps made forward in human rights, there’s a backlash,” says Alex Wilson, 2SLGBTQQIA+ educator and member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. “This time, the backlash is particularly focused on trans people and the queer community in general”[7].

Pushback against 2SLGBTQQIA+ rights and visibility has grown: in the U.S. there have been more than 500 bills brought forward so far in 2023 against gender-affirming care and bathroom use, the participation of transgender women and girls in sports, the use of preferred pronouns, drag performances and education about gender identity and sexuality[8]. Over 70 bills were signed into law as of early June, “the most of any year on record – and more than twice the number of anti-LGBTQ+ laws passed last year”[9]. Intolerant anti-2SLGBTQQIA+ attitudes and myths shared by community and political leaders have bolstered negative sentiments towards 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

This year in Canada, Pride Month and 2SLGBTQQIA+ rights have also faced growing intolerance and attack. 2SLGBTQ and transgender flags have been being stolen or damaged. Some communities and school boards in Ontario and British Columbia have made decisions to not fly the Pride flag, for example, while other communities saw school board protests, such as a rise in student absences on June 1 amid pushback on Pride celebrations. In a number of southwestern Ontario communities, drag queen story times and other drag related events have also faced pushback and protest.

Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres (OCRCC) notes that pushback against 2SLGBTQQIA+ people often employs frightening rhetoric about sexual violence, sexual subject matter and children: local advocates supporting Pride describe being “greeted by people calling them “groomers” and “pedophiles”, and being accused of trying to “indoctrinate” children”[10]. This messaging reproduces erroneous myths about sexual violence, as well as outdated and harmful stereotypes about the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community[11].

It is now more important than ever to defend 2SLGBTQQIA+ existence and rights.

Challenging homophobia and transphobia

Gender non-conforming ways of knowing and being – and any work to defend these – often results in “serious reaction” from groups whose personal and political identity is invested in traditional categories[12].

Fear or resistance ensues when a time-honored gender, sexual, class-conscious or racial boundary is stretched, causing cultural norms (and the privileges attached to them) to shift. Certainly, challenging homophobia and transphobia means challenging our ideas of gender, and creating more space for 2SLGBTQQIA+ existence and rights.

Homophobia, transphobia and other harms are used to silence and invisibilize the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community. Such oppressive attitudes and actions have serious implications on the health and wellbeing of people in our community too. 2SLGBTQQIA+ people’s experiences of discrimination and transphobic violence can result in exclusion from various social spaces, and increased susceptibility to violence. For example:

  • In its Ontario-wide research, TransPulse found that trans people are the targets of specifically directed violence. 20% of trans people shared that they had been physically or sexually assaulted for being trans, and another 34% had been verbally threatened or harassed[13]
  • Among racialized trans and non-binary people, 72% had experienced verbal harassment in the past 5 years, 45% had ever been harassed at work or school, and 73% worried about being stopped or harassed by police or security for who they are[14]
  • LGBTQ2+ youth are significantly impacted by gender-based violence: 70 percent of trans youth in Canada have experienced sexual harassment. More than one-third of trans youth ages 14-18 share that they were physically threatened or injured in the past year[15].

Everyone has a role in recognizing and responding to homophobic and transphobic violence. “Our allies – they need to speak out,” said an activist with Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos this June[16]. Community and political leaders also have an important role to play. As Egale Canada shared: “we’re calling on you, as leaders and decision makers, to act now”[17].

If you are a member of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community

If you are personally affected by recent incidences of homophobia or transphobia, please know that we care about you. There are spaces and people that support you.

  • Support is available to 2SLGBTQQIA+ youth. The LGBT YouthLine is a 2SLGBTQ+ youth-led organization that affirms and supports the experiences of youth (29 and under) across Ontario. The YouthLine provides anonymous peer support and referrals: learn more here
  • Support is available to 2SLGBTQQIA+ adults. The 519 provides anti-violence support programs: learn more here. Rainbow Health provides referrals to province-wide supports: learn more here
  • If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, you can find local support across Ontario here

What allies can do

If you are an ally of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, there are things you can do to support 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and push back against homophobic and transphobic violence. You can:

  • Talk with others you know about growing homophobic and transphobic sentiments impacting 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and your care and concern for this community
  • Take part in social justice work to address growing homophobic and transphobic violence in our communities:
    • Attend Pride events in your local community
    • Egale Canada has created social media and other awareness-raising tools through their Pride Unravelled campaign: learn more and take part here
    • The 519 is leading a number of actions to address growing hostility against 2SLGBTQQIA+ people: learn more and take part here
  • Challenge harmful stereotypes about the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, sexual violence, sexual subject matter and children[18]. Learn more about these stereotypes and misconceptions and how to address them in the Tactics and Tips for Combatting Misinformation guide (The 519) here
  • Connect with other allies. There are many supportive politicians advancing the rights of 2SLGBTQQIA+ Familiarize yourself with them, sign petitions for change, and use your vote to align with your values. When candidates are up for election or for other leadership roles, look into their priorities and see if they are allies of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community
  • Remember that strategies to address homophobic and transphobic violence should include the input and leadership of people with lived 2SLGBTQQIA+ experiences
  • Be a visible ally. This can look like attending or supporting an event by or for the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community
  • Consider making a financial donation to a 2SLGBTQQIA+ organization like Egale Canada, the 519, Rainbow Health, or an organization in your community
  • Actively address anti-2SLGBTQQIA+ misinformation or hateful rhetoric when it arises – in conversations and on social media. You can use hashtags like #DragDownHate #NoHate and #TransLivesMatter while advocating for our communities’ safety on social media. There is power in showing up for 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities[19].

OCRCC’s understandings of sexual violence is rooted in a systemic view of violence. We believe that broader acts of violence that affect certain communities, people, or identities must also be understood this way.

Addressing homophobia, transphobia and other forms of harm against the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community is a part of this work.

Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres (OCRCC) is a network of community-based sexual assault centres in Ontario. 

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[1] This initial stands for “Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual.” It may also appear as LGBTQ2SIA, or in shortened versions such as LGBTQ2S or LGBT+. Learn More:

[2] Pride Toronto. History. Online: https://www.pridetoronto.com/about/history/

[3] Egale Canada. May 2023. Pride Unravelled. Online: https://egale.ca/pride-2023-wont-unravel/

[4] Queer Events (QE). History of Canadian Pride: 1971 First Gay Rights Protest. Online: https://www.queerevents.ca/canada/pride/history

[5] Pride Toronto. History. Online: https://www.pridetoronto.com/about/history/

[6] Abad-Santos, Alex., for VOX. Jun 25, 2018. How LGBTQ Pride Month became a branded holiday. Online: https://www.vox.com/2018/6/25/17476850/pride-month-lgbtq-corporate-explained

[7] Logan, N. for CBC News.  May 11, 2023.As Pride flags are once again targeted, 2SLGBTQ advocates say it’s as important as ever to fly them: Debates happening amid a rise in divisive rhetoric against 2SLGBTQ rights. Online: https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6837143

[8] Logan, N. for CBC News.  May 11, 2023.As Pride flags are once again targeted, 2SLGBTQ advocates say it’s as important as ever to fly them: Debates happening amid a rise in divisive rhetoric against 2SLGBTQ rights. Online: https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6837143

[9] Beckett, L. for The Guardian. June 11, 2023. ‘The hate never went away’: US schools face violent Pride backlash

The decision to observe Pride did not spark street brawls last year. This time, things were very different. Online: https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/11/pride-celebration-us-trans-gay-rights

[10] Beckett, L. for The Guardian. June 11, 2023. ‘The hate never went away’: US schools face violent Pride backlash

The decision to observe Pride did not spark street brawls last year. This time, things were very different. Online: https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/11/pride-celebration-us-trans-gay-rights

[11] To learn more about these stereotypes and misconceptions, go here: https://www.the519.org/armyoflovers/

[12] McGarry, M. (2000). “Spectral Sexualities: Nineteenth-Century Spiritualism, Moral Panics and the Making of U.S. Obscenity Law”. Journal of Women’s History, Vol 12, No. 2 (Summer),8

[13] Bauer, Greta & Scheim, Ayden. (2015). Transgender People in Ontario, Canada: Statistics from the Trans PULSE Project to Inform Human Rights Policy: 4.

[14] TransPulse Canada. November 2, 2020. Health and Wellbeing among racialized trans and nonbinary people. Issue no. 2.

[15] Wisdom2Action. 2019. 2SLGBTQ+ Youth & Gender Based Violence (GBV) Consultation. Synopsis shared by Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights here: https://www.actioncanadashr.org/resources/reports-analysis/2019-06-28-lgbtq2-youth-gender-based-violence-report . Report available at Wisdom2Action: https://www.wisdom2action.org/gbv/

[16] Beckett, L. for The Guardian. June 11, 2023. ‘The hate never went away’: US schools face violent Pride backlash

The decision to observe Pride did not spark street brawls last year. This time, things were very different. Online: https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/11/pride-celebration-us-trans-gay-rights

[17] Egale Canada. May 2023. Pride Unravelled. Online: https://egale.ca/pride-2023-wont-unravel/

[18] To learn more about these stereotypes and misconceptions, go here: https://www.the519.org/armyoflovers/

[19] Many of these suggestions for allies thanks to The 519: https://www.the519.org/armyoflovers/