This year, the federal government is consulting 2SLGBTQ+ communities and organizations to develop the first-ever federal LGBTQ2 Action Plan. This plan is intended to guide future federal leadership on 2SLGBTQ+ issues. As the consultations with communities continue, our team has identified 4 bold ideas that we believe are essential to an effective and ambitious LGBTQ2 Action Plan. These ideas are derived from our collective decades of experience in 2SLGBTQ+ organizations and advocacy, and our work with local, provincial and national 2SLGBTQ+ organizations. Before we explore our proposals, we want to acknowledge the progress

We are holding the families and communities of the 215 children who were found at the site of the Kamloops Residential School in our hearts. We mourn their deaths and loss of so many past, present and future from colonialism in Canada. We hold space for their grief. It is widely known that even though the last residential school closed in 1996, the practice of forcibly removing Indigenous people from their communities is an ongoing practice in Canada through incarceration and the child welfare system. We acknowledge that reconciliation and reparation is an ongoing commitment that requires continuous work. Wisdom

We currently have one position that is open for hiring. For deadlines and more information, see the following documents: Operations Coordinator – June 10th, 2021 Blog

TW: Suicide Last week marked Mental Health Week in Canada, and this years theme was Name it, Don’t Numb it –  #GetReal for Mental Health. This theme called on folks to share how they really feel, to not just brush off real emotions by saying “we’re fine” and instead “getting real” about how we actually feel. In reflecting on the week it seems there’s still an important area we’re still missing from the discussion. Getting real about mental health means having tough conversations, and one of those conversations is about youth suicide, and the lack of resources aimed at supporting

FR We, the undersigned, vehemently reject the dangerous and bigoted rhetoric and ideology espoused by Trans Exclusionary Radical ‘Feminists’ (TERFs). As feminist and women’s rights leaders, we know that feminism is not without its flaws – that our movement has long failed many who should have seen themselves reflected within our spaces. Trans people should have always been welcomed with open arms by our movements and our organizations. Trans movements, theories and organizing are essential to an intersectional, liberatory feminist agenda. For too long, we have allowed trans-exclusionary feminisms to thrive – both through our failure in confronting blatant TERF

On April 19th, the federal government tabled its first budget in almost two years. This budget included significant and exciting commitments, including a $200 million investment to support gender-based violence organizations over the next 2 years. The budget also included $200M to establish Canada’s first Black-led philanthropic endowment fund dedicated to supporting Black-led charities and organizations serving youth and social initiatives. Despite these ground-breaking investments, on the subject of 2SLGBTQ+ communities, we saw a paltry $15 million commitment,