Dismayed but Unsurprised - Queer Momentum reacts to 69% increase in hate-motivated crimes targeting 2SLGBTQIA+ people

Yesterday, Statistics Canada released new data on police-reported hate-motivated crime in Canada.

The data included a 69% increase in crimes that target individuals because of their sexual orientation. Such crimes have been on the rise since 2021, with an increase of 70% in 2021, 16% in 2022, and now 69% in 2023.

 

“The ongoing increase in hate crimes targeting 2SLGBTQIA+ people is unsurprising, given the rise of hateful rhetoric and misinformation,” said Fae Johnstone, Executive Director of Queer Momentum. “Let me be clear: responsibility for this rise rests squarely on far-right groups, and conservative politicians like Pierre Poilievre, Scott Moe, and Danielle Smith who are using misleading slogans and stereotypes to turn people against their 2SLGBTQIA+ neighbours."

 

“We call on politicians across all parties to unequivocally denounce anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate and reaffirm their commitment to an inclusive and equitable Canada - for 2SLGBTQIA+ people and diverse communities of all kinds” said Dennis Stuebing, Vice-President of Queer Momentum. “We deserve elected officials who bring communities together, rather than sow division and normalize hatred”.

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Queer Momentum responds to anti-trans policy in Conservative Party of Canada platform

This election is about affordability and standing up to Trump. But when we cast our votes, we aren’t just voting on the economy. We’re voting for our future – and helping inform the kind of Canada we want to be. Canadians overwhelmingly believe in equality and human rights, and want elected officials who uphold those values. We may disagree on the detail, but our values are what unite us and make Canada strong.


That’s why Queer Momentum is shocked and dismayed by the Conservative Party of Canada’s platform commitment to ban transgender women from placement in the corrections facility or prison aligned with their gender identity. This commitment, if enacted, would place transgender women at increased risk of violence and harm in an already-violent criminal justice system.


“This is ludicrous. The Conservative Party of Canada platform only mentions women 4 times – with three of those mentions related to an anti-trans policy pledge. This isn’t what Canadians want or need from our politicians or political parties.” Said Fae Johnstone, Executive Director of Queer Momentum. “This is a Trumpian approach to politics – pitting women against transgender people – instead of advancing concrete measures to address the violence, discrimination and inequality both women and transgender Canadians experience.”


We urge Pierre Poilievre to retract this commitment, and pledge to uphold equality and human rights for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

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