Advocates are urging all levels of government to address the alarming rise in anti-LGBTQ2S+ hate following a Pride month marred by increased protests and attacks targeting the LGBTQ2S+ community. During a press conference in Ottawa, LGBTQ2S+ organizations, city councillors, and activists called for concrete action beyond mere words.
The president of LGBTQ2S+ advocacy group Momentum Canada, Fae Johnstone, highlighted the escalating threats faced by the community, including death threats directed at Pride organizers, drag performers, and community leaders. The activists are demanding increased collaboration among government levels to combat hate and greater funding for LGBTQ2S+ organizations to adequately support their communities.
These calls come in the wake of a hate-motivated attack at the University of Waterloo, where two students and a professor teaching a gender issues course were stabbed. Several incidents in Ottawa, such as protests trampling Pride flags and hurling homophobic slurs during an assault and robbery, further highlight the pressing need to address this issue.
Toby Whitfield, executive director of Capitol Pride in Ottawa, emphasized the rise in anti-LGBTQ2S+ hate across Canada, from hate-motivated attacks to flag burnings and attempts to roll back inclusion for trans students. Such acts, especially those targeting events for children and families, aim to demonize queer and trans people and their culture.
The organizations speaking at the press conference called on every level of government to stand in solidarity with queer and trans people across Canada. They emphasized the urgency of countering this trend of hate, emphasizing that it should not become the new normal.
Fae Johnstone, speaking on CTV Ottawa Morning Live, stressed the importance of investment in community-based organizations, interventions to address misinformation, and support for those affected by hate. She also highlighted the need for a strong representation of queer and trans communities in the national action plan on combating hate. Johnstone called on the federal government to use its convening power for a comprehensive, whole-of-government, and whole-of-society response.
Johnstone shared her own experience of facing a wave of death threats and targeted harassment due to her trans identity. She expressed concern about the impact this hate has on others in the community, particularly those who aspire to be in public life or run for office.
Recent incidents, including protests outside schools, graffiti containing anti-LGBTQ2S+ messages, and the targeting of drag queen storytime events, demonstrate the growing frequency of protests and attacks. The focus on children and education is a recurring theme, with debates arising over inclusive education policies and attempts to disrupt progressive education.
Advocates stressed the need for increased financial support for local organizations that serve LGBTQ2S+ communities, which often operate on limited budgets. They emphasized that the government has a responsibility to take immediate action to counter all forms of hatred and bigotry in the country.
Overall, the press conference underscored the urgency of addressing the surge in anti-LGBTQ2S+ hate, demanding a collaborative effort from all levels of government and increased support for organizations supporting the LGBTQ2S+ community.