Queer, trans and allied organizations across Canada have penned a powerful open letter—and you can sign it too

International Transgender Day of Visibility: Celebrating Equality and Human Rights

March 31 marks International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV), a day dedicated to celebrating the transgender community, recognizing their contributions to society, and raising awareness about the discrimination they face globally.

Unfortunately, transphobic sentiments are on the rise, particularly among the far right in Canada. In countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, legislation targeting transgender civil rights is being introduced, posing a threat to the lives and well-being of transgender individuals and communities.

TDOV serves as a crucial opportunity to combat hate, uplift and honor the trans community, and educate the public about the challenges they confront, especially in these challenging times.

This year, more than 200 queer, trans, and allied organizations in Canada have come together to publish an open letter addressed to the leaders of the major political parties in the country. The letter urges them to uphold equality, freedom, and human rights for queer and trans individuals in Canada.

Authored by Queer Momentum, Egale Canada, the Enchanté Network, and the Dignity Network of Canada, the letter underscores the importance of equality and human rights in fostering a healthy democracy and creating a more prosperous and equitable Canada for all.

Fae Johnstone, executive director of Queer Momentum, emphasized the need for federal party leaders to speak out against anti-trans hate and to support the human rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals amid global backlash and regressive policies in certain Canadian provinces.

As Canada faces external threats to its values and sovereignty, it becomes imperative to safeguard the human rights of all its citizens, including those in the queer and trans community.

While Canada has made significant progress in advancing equality for queer and trans individuals over the past five decades, recent global trends indicate a worrisome backlash that the country must address.

Tyler Boyce, executive director of the Enchanté Network, highlighted the ongoing journey toward full equality for 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians and emphasized the importance of commitments from all political parties to uphold freedom, reject hate, and ensure stable funding for initiatives promoting equality and inclusion.

To show your support and solidarity with the queer and trans community, you can view and sign the open letter HERE.