YouthLine Responds to Growing Anti-2SLGBTQ+ Movements: Defending Youth and Inclusivity

Posted on September 17, 2024

Another wave of anti-trans and anti-2SLGBTQ+ protests will be held across Canada this Friday, September 20th. 

Like last year, these events will protest inclusive school policies and curricula, access to gender-affirming healthcare, and the general presence of 2SLGBTQ+ people in public spaces. These protests are one example of the rising levels of anti-2SLGBTQ+ rhetoric and violence that we have seen in the last several years. 

At YouthLine, we know that protests like these can have serious effects on 2SLGBTQ+ youth, impacting their psychological and physical safety. In the longer term, these protests also have an impact on political discourse and can generate momentum for the introduction and passage of discriminatory legislation. No young person should feel marginalized, excluded, or afraid for their safety because of their gender or sexuality. This week, and every week, we encourage everyone to take action to combat anti-2SLGBTQ+ hate and ensure that our communities are recognized and celebrated.  

Actions you can take to support 2SLGBTQ+ youth: 

• Attend a counter-protest in your city (see a list of Ontario counter-protests on the next slide) 

• Send a letter to your elected officials by participating in YouthLine’s Write for Student Rights campaign at youthline.ca/studentrights 

• Check-in and spend time with the queer, trans, and 2-Spirit people in your life 

• Talk with your friends and family about the importance of speaking up for the rights of queer, trans, and 2-Spirit youth 

• Share information about our HelpLine with 2SLGBTQ+ youth 

Counter-protests across Ontario on September 20, 2024: 

• Barrie: “No Space for Hate Counterprotest”
  8am-6pm at City Hall
  Organized by Simcoe Transgender Action Team 

• Kitchener: “Protect Queer Youth Counter Demo”
  7am-7pm at City Hall
  Organized by Queer Youth Defense 

• London: “No Space for Hate Counterprotest”
  10am-1pm at City Hall 

• Peterborough: “No Space for Hate Counterprotest”
  8am at City Hall
  Organized by Peterborough and the Kawartha’s United Against Hate 

• Whitby: “Children’s Safety & Education Matters”
  12pm at 400 Taunton Rd. E. Windsor
  2pm at 451 Park St. W. 

• Toronto: “Transphobes Out, Queers In – Counterprotest and Block Party”
  7am-6pm at Queen’s Park (North side)
  Organized by Students for Queer Liberation Tkaronto