Latest news with #2SLGBTQIA
CTV News
25-06-2025
- CTV News
Suspect sought after Pride flag stolen three times
Windsor police have confirmed a Pride flag has been stolen from a Moy Avenue home three times. CTV Windsor's Chris Campbell has more. Windsor police are asking for the public's help identifying a suspect after three separate thefts of a Pride flag at the same home — incidents the victim said have left her family feeling unsafe and targeted. Officers were first called to a residence in the 200 block of Moy Avenue on May 2 after an unknown male approached the front porch and tore down the home's Pride flag, breaking the flagpole in the process. A similar theft occurred on June 13, when police said a second flag was stolen from the same property. The resident, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear for her family's safety, told CTV News the repeated incidents are 'devastating' noting it happened another time within the last year in July 2024. 'I was just devastated. I don't understand. I don't understand how us doing something as simple as flying a flag can interfere with somebody else's life to the point that they need to damage our property and make a mockery of it,' she said. The woman, who identifies as queer, said at least two of her five children also identify within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and that the flag was meant to be a symbol of pride and acceptance for her household. 'The number one reason to fly the Pride flag for me is because I identify as a queer individual. I, like I said, have five children, and at least two of them identify in some way. The others are maybe a little too young to identify at this point. It's important to me because I see every single day the hate and the ugliness that people all over the world deal with,' she said. The repeated thefts have caused the family to question their safety and whether they're being watched. 'They already face bullying in the public school. My concern is did somebody follow them home? Did somebody follow my teenager to school? They're showing us that we're not welcome, that we're not equal. It's ugly. It's unnecessary,' she said. 'And I can't imagine raising my children to think that they're better than anybody else for something that they believe or don't believe.' The woman explained Windsor police have cautioned her against hanging the flag again, citing a risk of escalation. 'The overwhelming urge to kind of hang it and give the proverbial 'F.U.', it's strong. But Windsor police, my mom, everybody is telling me the window is going to get broken next, and then what? After that it gets more and more violent each time, right?' she said. 'We don't really know where we're at with hanging it. I would fly the flag year-round if it would be left up on my porch. It's not just a June thing, you know? But it is what it is. I don't know yet if we're going to put up another flag.' She said police acknowledged the issue is ongoing in the city, though it's not always reported. 'The police have shared that with me that it's an ongoing problem. Whether other people are really reporting it or pushing for investigations or showing camera footage like I have, I'm not sure. But we're certainly not the only family being targeted. It just happens to be reported because I'm pushing for it,' she said. Despite the situation, the woman said her message remains the same. 'You can take the flag, but you can't take the pride. I'm here. I'm loud. I teach my kids to be loud. That doesn't change anything about who we are and where we are in this world,' she said. 'And what do I hope for the young man who thought that this was funny or whatever his idea about it was? I hope that he grows. I hope that he grows and that his life changes in a good way, in a way that allows him to see the bigger picture. It's shocking in 2025, in progressive Canada that we're here.' Wendi Nicholson, president of Windsor-Essex Pride Fest, said hearing about incidents like these is discouraging. 'It's just, it's disheartening,' Nicholson said. 'We're not doing anything. Just wanting to be equal and showing that, hey, we're here and that we're proud of who we are. Same as anybody with any nationality they are. They fly their national flag. They're proud of who they are. So are we. Tearing down people's flags, taking people's stuff. It's got to stop. It's just ridiculous.' Nicholson said education is the most powerful tool the community has in fighting back. 'The only thing we can do is just educate people. If you see someone, just educate them,' she said. 'Like, why? Why? When I grew up, I was taught, if it ain't yours, don't touch it.' The suspect in the May 2 incident is described as a Middle Eastern male with black afro-style hair and a short black beard and moustache. At the time of the incident, he wore a grey hoodie and black track pants with white stripes. Investigators are asking residents and business owners in the area to check their surveillance or dashcam footage from May 2 and June 13 between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. for anything that may help the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 519-255-6700 ext. 4830 or submit a tip anonymously through Windsor & Essex County Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 (TIPS) or online.
Hamilton Spectator
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Marking Pride month amid ‘emboldened' rise in prejudice, bigotry
Two queer-rights advocates in Labrador say celebrating and marking Pride month has additional importance given an increase in public and online prejudice against members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. 'We're not at a stage right now in our civilization where we have true inclusion,' says Torngat Mountains MHA Lela Evans, who identifies as lesbian. Evans says while progress was being made towards equality and inclusivity of queer communities, the rise in anti-2SLGBTQIA+ sentiment and hatred is concerning. It's been exacerbated by the re-election of President Donald Trump , a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upholds a law restricting gender-affirming care for youth in Tennessee, and the American government ending the LGBTQ+ youth option on a suicide hotline. Evans says she has seen a rise in the number of residents in her region messaging her to ask why Pride month matters, while also using derogatory terms for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. That's not new for the MHA, but the increasing number of messages she's receiving is. Evans says the rising harassment and discrimination has been leading to 2SLGBTQIA+ residents, and their loved ones, feeling worried about their safety and well-being. One of the common messages is people asking, 'Why do you have to fly the Pride flag? Like, there's no straight flag.' Or, 'If you're celebrating and supporting Pride, you're discriminating against others,' Evans explains, saying those messages are an indication there's a lot of education work that needs to be done. 'The messaging is very important — the messaging around why we support Pride month and why we support flying the Pride flag,' Evans says. 'What you're saying is that this is a safe space, and you are welcome.' People can show that message and support the community by flying a Pride flag on their homes or in their yards, or by having a poster on the wall at their businesses, homes, schools or university, Evans says. 'That is not something that the general population, heterosexuals, have or need. When they go into a school, when they go into a gym, when they're going to a place of business, they are not exposed to somebody who will ridicule them, harass them.' Bigotry and harassment are nothing new to Mason Woodward, a transgender man and volunteer with Safe Alliance in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Last year, Safe Alliance saw an increase in the bigotry they faced locally when people put up public signs on the 5-Wing Goose Bay military base condemning members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The Canadian Armed Forces removed the posters and stated publicly that hate has no place on the base. Also last year, Pride flags were stolen from buildings like Canada Post, and Woodward says he saw an increase in people sending hate-filled messages both in public comments on Safe Alliance's post and private messages to the volunteer group. 'It's definitely a different world right now,' Woodward says. 'And it weighs on you; but at the same time, we've seen our allies absolutely come to our defense too when they see some things being put out. So it's a mixed bag for sure.' Human beings are social creatures and look to their friends for how they interact and react to the world, Woodward says. If people surround themselves with others who are ignorant, bigoted, or hateful, those views can be internalized and increase one's own prejudice or hatred toward the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, he says. 'People are definitely more emboldened, and it definitely makes you a lot more aware of your surroundings.' Given the rise in prejudice against queer people, it's a crucial time to support 2SLGBTQIA+ community members. 'When you gotta face someone head on and risk that confrontation, and risk hurting your own reputation and stuff, when you do stand up and be an ally, it means the world to whoever you're standing up for,' Woodward says. People interested in learning more about how to be an effective ally can check out Egale Canada's resource Hate Isn't History ; they can also take a break from social media and read an article on the latest challenges the community faces, Woodward says. Self-education is important given 2SLGBTQIA+ community members face prejudice and discrimination all year long, he adds. 'The queer community is part of everyday life as well, and I think the world would be a lot more boring if we were all the same.' Safe Alliance is preparing for its Pride Week events beginning June 30. Woodward says they are seeing more volunteers sign up to help out. The events will be open to everyone and more volunteers are welcome. Celebrating during Pride month can make a difference to people's mental health across the country, Evans says, adding that people in northern Labrador have had support for decades. 'The acceptance may not be 100 per cent, but the fact that leaders and people present have taken it upon themselves to make sure that the space is safe, the community is safe for them, has really, really made a difference. That's freaking amazing. 'And those supportive people in the communities are the lifeline,' Evans continues. 'So when things happen and people's mental health is impacted, if they're a part of the group, then they have support in the community for that as well.' It will take time, but Evans hopes there will come a time when putting up signs or flags in support of safe public spaces won't be needed because everywhere will be safe for 2SLGBTQIA+ community members. 'What's normal to society is a mixture—a diversity, right—of people who identify the way that they feel and the rules of society are evolved so that people can live the life that they choose to live, and that they don't fear for their safety.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. 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Canada Standard
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Canada Standard
Alberta youth have the right to school library books that reflect their lives, including sexuality
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has expressed fondness for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, most recently wagering a a friendly public bet on the NHL hockey playoffs. In 2023, she said she wanted Albertans to enjoy some of the same freedoms available to citizens in certain American states, including Florida. Her government's latest proposal aims to take more than a page from DeSantis's playbook, setting its sights on how Florida has targeted school library books, effectively purging and banning many. Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides recently announced the province will move ahead to develop provincial standards "to ensure the age-appropriateness of materials available to students in school libraries." This followed a public engagement survey related to what he said were concerns about "sexually explicit" books in Edmonton and Calgary schools. The province says the survey results show "strong support" for a school library policy, even while the majority of respondents don't want the government setting standards for school library books. This marks the Alberta government's latest effort to restrict the rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ children and youth. Like Florida's statute on K-12 instructional materials, Alberta's proposal centres on age-appropriateness and increasing parental choice in learning materials. Despite claiming a need for new standards, Nicolaides has acknowledged there are already mechanisms in place in Alberta's school jurisdictions for parents to challenge materials. Many school boards already have policies governing school library materials. Additionally, librarians are trained professionals who follow established practices around organizing materials that reflect developmental appropriateness. Florida's statute, framed by DeSantis as empowering parents to object to obscene material, has targeted 2,700 books. More than 700 were removed from libraries in 2023-24. Read more: Ron DeSantis shows how 'ugly freedoms' are being used to fuel authoritarianism Confusion and a climate of fear caused by the bill has led Florida teachers and librarians to self-censor. Florida's Department of Education urged districts to "err on the side of caution" to avoid potential felony charges. Such fear and surveillance lead to unnecessary restrictions on students' rights. Nicolaides has emphasized that developing the new standards in Alberta is not a question of "banning certain books," and has acknowledged he does not have that authority. However, as PEN Canada notes, the implications of the proposed policies raise alarm bells, with the government's actions "paving the way to a new era of government-sponsored book banning." Singling out books has the same effect as a ban, according to the CEO of the St. Albert Public Library. By labelling four books as inappropriate - three of which include 2SLGBTQIA+ authors and themes - Nicolaides suggests these books don't belong in K-12 schools. One of the books, the graphic novel Flamer, has won several awards, including the Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ Young Adult Literature in 2021. The education minister refuted the idea that singling out the books is anti-queer or anti-trans, and did so in an inflammatory manner, characterizing concern as being about protecting children from seeing porn, child molestation and other sexual content. Nicolaides also said the proposed policy is focused on sexual content, so themes and depictions of graphic violence are "probably not" an issue. Alberta has already rolled back the rights of trans and non-binary children and youth to use different pronouns, access gender-affirming care and participate in sports. Queer and trans identities are also absent from all subjects in the K-12 program of studies, including recently updated K-6 curriculum. New sexual health resource guidelines prohibit the use of learning materials that primarily and explicitly address sexual orientation or gender identity unless they have been vetted and approved by Alberta Education (except for use in religion classes). Through specific communication tactics, the minister's public engagement works to exacerbate moral panics about sexuality as a threat to childhood innocence. This influences broader messages about 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion. The government-created survey shared illustrations and text excerpts on their own, without context or consideration of their narrative purpose in each book. Although the excerpts flagged by the minister make up between 0.1 to two per cent of the total page count in each book, the books as a whole are labelled "extremely graphic." In a media appearance, Nicolaides stated the books in question were available to "elementary-aged" students. This is misleading because K-9 schools include junior high students. In a social media post, the minister's press secretary said "these problematic books were found in and around books like Goldilocks," suggesting targeted books are alongside children's storybooks. But the image he shared showed Flamer near the graphic novel Goldilocks: Wanted Dead or Alive, aimed at middle-grade readers aged nine to 12 years old. The survey reported 77,395 responses by demographics, including parents, teachers, school administrators, librarians and other interested Albertans. Forty-nine per cent of parents of school-aged children were not at all or not very supportive of the creation of government guidelines, compared to 44 per cent of the same demographic who were somewhat or very supportive (eight per cent were unsure). Across each other demographic, most respondents expressed that they didn't support the creation of new government standards. But the ministry plans to move ahead anyway. The Investigative Journalism Foundation reports two conservative activist groups have taken credit for giving the Alberta government names of books believed to be inappropriate. Parental rights groups and far-right activists have long asserted that 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion in schools "indoctrinates" and sexualizes children. We're concerned the Alberta government may be reinforcing this message to manufacture a greater public consensus in support of wider policies against 2SLGBTQIA+ rights. Since at least 2023, United Conservative Party (UCP) members have embraced socially conservative "parental rights" rhetoric and supported motions for purging school libraries and mandating parent approval of changes to kids' names and pronouns. Far-right activist groups like Take Back Alberta have shaped the UCP government's policies alongside special interest groups like Action4Canada and Parents for Choice in Education. A common thread among such groups is parental authority over one's own children framed in traditionalist or hetero-normative terms. Significant mobilizing has happened against the inclusion of sexual orientations and gender identities in school curricula, trans-inclusive health care, drag shows, conversion therapy bans and more. Read more: Pride, pages and performance: Why drag story time matters more than ever Queer and trans identities are viewed as a social contagion threatening to change anyone exposed to them, and efforts for inclusion are labelled "gender ideology." These misconceptions, combined with political and religious biases, frame queerness and transness as "adult topics" that will confuse or harm children. However, research confirms ignoring these topics is of far greater concern when children may already experience discrimination about their gender expression by the age of five. Earlier learning about diverse forms of gender expression and relationships can reduce victimization, and prevent young children from becoming perpetrators of, or bystanders to, anti-2SLGBTQIA+ harassment and violence. Read more: 'Parental rights' lobby puts trans and queer kids at risk The United Nations recognizes that governments need to resist political pressure "based on child protection arguments to block access to information on [2SLGBTQIA+] issues, or to provide negatively biased information." Access to self-selected literature is important for all students, and can be a lifeline for 2SLGBTQIA+ students who don't see themselves in the curriculum. If Alberta Education will not prepare students for the world they live in - where we queer and trans people exist, flourish and are loved - then students should be able to seek out stories that reflect that world. It's a matter of protecting their freedom of expression.
Canada News.Net
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Canada News.Net
Alberta youth have the right to school library books that reflect their lives, including sexuality
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has expressed fondness for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, most recently wagering a a friendly public bet on the NHL hockey playoffs. In 2023, she said she wanted Albertans to enjoy some of the same freedoms available to citizens in certain American states, including Florida. Her government's latest proposal aims to take more than a page from DeSantis's playbook, setting its sights on how Florida has targeted school library books, effectively purging and banning many. Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides recently announced the province will move ahead to develop provincial standards " to ensure the age-appropriateness of materials available to students in school libraries." This followed a public engagement survey related to what he said were concerns about "sexually explicit" books in Edmonton and Calgary schools. , even while the majority of respondents don't want the government setting standards for school library books. This marks the Alberta government's latest effort to restrict the rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ children and youth. Like Florida's statute on K-12 instructional materials, Alberta's proposal centres on age-appropriateness and increasing parental choice in learning materials. Despite claiming a need for new standards, Nicolaides has acknowledged there are already mechanisms in place in Alberta's school jurisdictions for parents to challenge materials. Many school boards already have policies governing school library materials. Additionally, librarians are trained professionals . Florida's statute, framed by DeSantis as empowering parents to object to obscene material, has targeted 2,700 books. More than 700 were removed from libraries in 2023-24. Confusion and a climate of fear caused by the bill has led Florida teachers and librarians to self-censor. Florida's Department of Education urged districts to " err on the side of caution" to avoid potential felony charges. Such fear and surveillance lead to unnecessary restrictions on students' rights. Nicolaides has emphasized that developing the new standards in Alberta is not a question of "banning certain books," and has acknowledged he does not have that authority. However, as PEN Canada notes, the implications of the proposed policies raise alarm bells, with the government's actions "paving the way to a new era of government-sponsored book banning." Singling out books has the same effect as a ban, according to the CEO of the St. Albert Public Library. By labelling four books as inappropriate - three of which include 2SLGBTQIA+ authors and themes - Nicolaides suggests these books don't belong in K-12 schools. One of the books, the graphic novel Flamer, has won several awards, including the Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ Young Adult Literature in 2021. The education minister refuted the idea that singling out the books is anti-queer or anti-trans, and did so in an inflammatory manner, characterizing concern as being about protecting children from seeing porn, child molestation and other sexual content. Nicolaides also said the proposed policy is focused on sexual content, so themes and depictions of graphic violence are "probably not" an issue. Alberta has already rolled back the rights of trans and non-binary children and youth to use different pronouns, access gender-affirming care and participate in sports. Queer and trans identities are also absent from all subjects in the K-12 program of studies, including recently updated K-6 curriculum. New sexual health resource guidelines prohibit the use of learning materials that primarily and explicitly address sexual orientation or gender identity unless they have been vetted and approved by Alberta Education (except for use in religion classes). Through specific communication tactics, the minister's public engagement works to exacerbate moral panics about sexuality as a threat to childhood innocence. This influences broader messages about 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion. The government-created survey shared illustrations and text excerpts on their own, without context or consideration of their narrative purpose in each book. Although the excerpts flagged by the minister make up between 0.1 to two per cent of the total page count in each book, the books as a whole are labelled "extremely graphic." In a media appearance, Nicolaides stated the books in question were available to "elementary-aged" students. This is misleading because K-9 schools include junior high students. In a social media post, the minister's press secretary said "these problematic books were found in and around books like Goldilocks," suggesting targeted books are alongside children's storybooks. But the image he shared showed Flamer near the graphic novel Goldilocks: Wanted Dead or Alive, aimed at middle-grade readers aged nine to 12 years old. The survey reported 77,395 responses by demographics, including parents, teachers, school administrators, librarians and other interested Albertans. Forty-nine per cent of parents of school-aged children were not at all or not very supportive of the creation of government guidelines, compared to 44 per cent of the same demographic who were somewhat or very supportive (eight per cent were unsure). Across each other demographic, most respondents expressed that they didn't support the creation of new government standards. But the ministry plans to move ahead anyway. The Investigative Journalism Foundation reports two conservative activist groups have taken credit for giving the Alberta government names of books believed to be inappropriate. Parental rights groups and far-right activists have long asserted that 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion in schools " indoctrinates" and sexualizes children. We're concerned the Alberta government may be reinforcing this message to manufacture a greater public consensus in support of wider policies against 2SLGBTQIA+ rights. Since at least 2023, United Conservative Party (UCP) members have embraced socially conservative "parental rights" rhetoric and supported motions for purging school libraries and mandating parent approval of changes to kids' names and pronouns. Far-right activist groups like Take Back Alberta have shaped the UCP government's policies alongside special interest groups like Action4Canada and Parents for Choice in Education. A common thread among such groups is parental authority over one's own children framed in traditionalist or hetero-normative terms. Significant mobilizing has happened against the inclusion of sexual orientations and gender identities in school curricula, trans-inclusive health care, drag shows, conversion therapy bans and more. Queer and trans identities are viewed as a social contagion threatening to change anyone exposed to them, and efforts for inclusion are labelled "gender ideology." These misconceptions, combined with political and religious biases, frame queerness and transness as "adult topics" that will confuse or harm children. However, research confirms ignoring these topics is of far greater concern when children may already experience discrimination about their gender expression by the age of five. Earlier learning about diverse forms of gender expression and relationships can reduce victimization, and prevent young children from becoming perpetrators of, or bystanders to, anti-2SLGBTQIA+ harassment and violence. The United Nations recognizes that governments need to resist political pressure "based on child protection arguments to block access to information on [2SLGBTQIA+] issues, or to provide negatively biased information." Access to self-selected literature is important for all students, and can be a lifeline for 2SLGBTQIA+ students who don't see themselves in the curriculum. If Alberta Education will not prepare students for the world they live in - where we queer and trans people exist, flourish and are loved - then students should be able to seek out stories that reflect that world. It's a matter of protecting their freedom of expression.
CTV News
21-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Workshop being held in Windsor to assist people with the legal name and gender marker change process in Ontario
A workshop is being held in Windsor on Saturday for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Dana Rosamund Teagle is leading the workshop. Rosamund Teagle is a web and software developer for , a free online tool that helps navigate the legal name and gender marker change process in Ontario. The site offers guidance on required documents, fees and steps — with a focus on trans inclusion and reducing administrative barriers. Rosamund Teagle said they've been running ID clinics for teaching trans people how to change their name and gender markers in the province since 2021. 'If I can be a person who's like, hey not only have I been through this myself, I've also helped this huge pile of people go through it as well, and I think that gives people short of the confidence they need to tackle that,' says Rosamund Teagle. Rosamund Teagle said they've noticed how meaningful the workshops and website are to people. 'I really believe also very firmly in trans people helping trans people with solving trans problems whenever possible,' says Rosamund Teagle. Rosamund Teagle says it's free to attend the workshop. 'I've heard from the people who have been to these workshops and benefited from my site, that it's meant a lot to them for it to be lead by someone who is also trans themselves,' says Rosamund Teagle. The workshop begins at 6:30 p.m. at Hackforge HQ at 300 Ouellette Ave. Trans, non-binary, gender-diverse individuals and their allies are invited to connect with Rosamund Teagle and learn about the site plus have conversations about accessibility, identity and the power of self-determination. The event will include presentations, a question and answer period and open dialogue. - By Dustin Coffman, AM800
