National Coming Out Day

Trans individuals are currently under attack by far-right organizations that are actively spreading disinformation about them. In the US, bans on trans healthcare are being passed into law, thereby seeking to eradicate trans folks altogether.

Currently, there is an internal migration crisis in the states as individuals and families have to leave their homes to take refuge in “safe states”, of which there are increasingly few.

Fuelled by misinformation, anti-trans hate is spreading and growing and is at an all-time high in Canada. On Sept. 20/23 Canada-wide protests against trans folks were held. These protests, convened under the guise of protecting children, were met with counter protests by LGBTQ+ communities and their allies.

The counter protests in Toronto were organized by The 519 (TO's main LGBTQ+ hub) and groups such as the Ontario Federation of Labour (also organizing in other ON townships). Toronto saw 2500+ folks peacefully protest against some 200 anti-trans haters. Similar numbers played out in cities across the country.

Organizations like the Transgender Law Centre, made up of hardworking lawyers, are fighting the anti-trans bans in court. There have been significant wins, as judges have not been blind to the discriminatory nature of the bans and the false information provided to support them. Therefore many judges have blocked the bans. But, with a determined (and well-positioned) far right helming the hate, this is an uphill battle.

It should not come as a surprise that this hatefulness is causing many in the trans community stress and trauma, with a heavy toll on mental and emotional health. And while the focus remains on the transgender population, this hatred is rearing its ugly head against folks that identify as gay and lesbian and bisexual as well as two-spirit and intersex.

If you know members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, please be extra considerate towards them. Of course, all folks of all stripes deserve consideration and kindness - none of us know what someone else is going through at any given time - but this article aims to highlight a marginalized group who are looking erasure in the eye while trying to remain stoic in light of that. (Or, more accurately, in the dark of that).

Oct. 11 is “National Coming Out Day”. Colin Mochrie, who has a trans daughter, endorses it, along with others:

“Coming out is not a one-time event. It’s a continuous journey with compounding mental health impacts, and creating safer, accepting, and inclusive spaces for 2SLGBTQI youth to come out requires commitment from allies.” - Egale Canada. The initiative “Coming Out Together” is about encouraging adults to ‘come out’ as supportive, affirming and safe people in the lives of trans youth.

The 519's statement: "Anti-2SLGBTQ+ rhetoric and radicalism – worldwide, in the US, and in our own country – continues to target the most vulnerable and marginalized folks within our communities. Now is not the time for complacency. Our collective pride lies in showing up for each other through care, organizing, and support – not just during June, but year-round, because no one is safe until everyone is safe."

As an ally I created a Pride Wall in my housing co-op's community centre that included pictures of Lana Wachowski ("The Matrix", "Cloud Atlas"), Chas Bono, Christine Jorgensen, trans rapper Katastrophe and Laverne Cox ("Orange is the New Black", "Inventing Anna"). A short bio accompanied each shot - a little enlightenment can go a long way towards fostering understanding.

I was also priveleged to see Laverne Cox in person at TO's Bell Lightbox:

I leave the last word to Bubs, a trans teen living in a small town in America, where his mom raised money for a progress flag then got permission to fly it in the town square until a small angry group got the town council to take it down: “When you meet transpeople, just try to be more respectful to them because they don’t get much respect, especially with everything that’s going on.”

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Thanks for reading!