by Wisdom2Action View this email in your browser Preventing & Addressing GBV Against 2SLGBTQ+ Youth: What the Youth Sector Can Do Join National Alliance for Children and Youth and Wisdom2Action on August 4th for a critical discussion about what 2SLGBTQ+ youth serving groups and organizations can do to address and prevent Gender-Based Violence against 2SLGBTQ+ youth. FREE for Members – contact: info@nacy.ca Register Here Canada Banned Conversion Practices in December 2021. What Now? In December 2021, Canada passed a law banning conversion practices–discredited and abusive “therapies” designed to change or repress non-heterosexual and non-cisgender identities, behaviours and desires. In response

by Fae Johnstone On Thursday, April 7th, Canadian Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland introduced the 2022 Federal Budget. A great deal was at stake in this budget for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, particularly as we continue to grapple with the impact of COVID-19 and rising tides of anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate. The featured 2SLGBTQIA+ commitment in this budget was the much-awaited LGBTQ2+ Action Plan, which the federal government has been developing over the past year and has been touted as a major federal commitment on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues. It was meant to be a plan government departments and civil society organizations could rally around. As

by Florence Ashley Allyship begins with unequivocal support for trans communities. Organizations should express clear condemnation against any and all forms of transphobia. Anti-trans movements thrive in equivocation and ambiguity, often claiming legitimacy based on the myth that they represent a silent majority afraid to speak up against the tyranny of an all-powerful trans cabal. The idea that anti-trans views are the norm must be nipped in the bud by clear statements to the contrary. Do not expect trans people or the public to know that you are silently supportive of them. There must be no doubt possible. Organizational statements

Bringing Visible Queer Inclusion into Community Spaces & Organizations by Rachel Sparling Positionality Before we start this conversation, I want to acknowledge that I am currently on the Haldimand Tract, the territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee people. My home is in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded land of the Mi’kmaq people. For those of us who are settlers, take a moment before we continue to reflect on the spaces you’re in. Are Indigenous people represented? Is anti-colonial work happening? Whether these reflections are new to you or not, it’s vital to continue learning, listening, and building anti-colonial practices into every level of

by Toby Nashak Within indigenous communities, there is a widespread crisis related to trans identities. I believe that there should be some light shed on the topic. In many of these communities, there is very minimal education on 2SLGBTQ+ topics. Due to the lasting impacts of colonialism,, there is a strong likelihood of people being closed minded; But this isn’t the only issue. The way that many of us see gender and sexualities that differ from the norm have been tainted by colonization. What does this mean? Let me explain. Before colonizers came into our lives, we saw these topics

by Kenzie Wass We have to acknowledge the ways in which the queer community was shaped. Historically in Canada queer spaces prioritized white middle class gay men. In the 50’s and 60’s that was the demographic of most spaces, not just queer ones. Come the 70’s lesbians made more headway and women’s rights were flourishing, gay and lesbian rights joint forces. While the 70’s brought a lot of racial protest in North America, there was a huge gap in rights afforded to people of colour, especially queer people of colour. During the 80’s queer organizing tried to respond to racism