After Trump’s inauguration and executive orders on Monday, there is so much to decry: “drill, baby, drill”, manifest destiny, mass deportations — there was a whole host of horrific proclamations made.
You can be sure that Greenpeace will be pushing back hard against the dystopian vision being laid out so clearly by Trump and friends.
But today, I’m coming from the heart with a personal message for you, our supporters. In particular, for those of you who are trans, queer, lesbian, gay, bisexual, non-binary, Two-Spirit.
The message is simply this: we love you, and you matter.
In times like these, it is more important than ever to be explicit about our values and what we stand for. As a Greenpeace supporter, you already know that Greenpeace stands for a green and peaceful future. We dream of a world rooted in empathy, caring, and community – a world where life in all its forms can prosper and thrive. Liberation is at the heart of this dream, and this includes the freedom for trans people to live authentically and joyfully, free from hatred, violence, or oppression.
South of our border, hatred toward trans people is being broadcast, legislated, and even celebrated. But this isn’t just an issue in the United States. That same hatred is growing louder here in Canada, amplified by voices like Pierre Poilievre, who could become our next Prime Minister. And the swell of rhetoric being on both sides of the border isn’t empty, either. It brings with it erasure, violence, and material harm. We need to stand up against this together and we need to do it now.
If you’re ready to help, I encourage you to support one or more of these organizations that offer critical services and support to trans people:
Resources in English:
Planned Parenthood – Canada
Rainbow Railroad
George Chuvalo Neighbourhood Centre – Toronto
Wellness Within – Nova Scotia
ASTT(e)Q – Montreal
Heads & Hands – Montreal
Project 10 – Montreal
Edmonton 2 Spirit Society – Edmonton
Rainbow Alliance for Youth – Edmonton
QMunity – BC
Northern Mosaic Network – NWT
Kind Space – Ottawa
Interligne
This list was built with suggestions from Greenpeace staff – if you’d like to share an organization to support, please add a comment under this blog post.
One of the most powerful things I’ve learned from trans friends is this: sometimes, the strongest act of resistance is just to keep on living.
On behalf of all of us at Greenpeace Canada: to you, your friends, your families and your communities – we love you, and we will stand with you through this dark time and beyond.
May the future be filled with freedom and joy. Keep on living.
Christy
Executive Director, Greenpeace Canada
Discussion
Pflag, Rainbow Sauga Alliance, Rainbow Camp
Spectrum is a great resource for Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge residents (Waterloo Region, Ontario). Their website can be found at https://ourspectrum.com/.
Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble national affirming group of the United Church of Canada Rainbow Resource Centre -Winnipeg
I would add Rainbow Refugee in Vancouver, BC. (https://www.rainbowrefugee.com/) I worked alongside RR for years - they assist refugees arriving into BC who are LGBTQ+ and always have a hard time to fit in at first.
Momentum Canada to support gender and queer rights www.momentumcanada.net
Dear Christie, I commend you - what a loving, thoughtful thing to do. I am very impress and support all that you said. So proud to be a Greenpeace supporter.
In the disastrous aftermath of the coronation of Donald Trump, how could one consider the Harper/Trump hybrid (Poilievre) to be a suitable candidate for governance of Canada? And risk a populist swell of angst to embroil our government with endless ideological rejigging of methods of governance while we face massive existential threats beyond what he can even contemplate? One look at his face tells you he is extremely short-sighted (optically) and his messaging reveals his tunnel vision and multiple blind-spots. Like Trump, how is he even a candidate? (from a trans person in Surrey)
I wept as I read your email aloud to my partner. It is so easy for an organization that works to better the world in a crucial way to stay within its mandate, even to see itself as in competition with other advocacy groups for funding, donors, visibility. Thank you so much for stepping over that imaginary line, recognizing that we are all in this mess called life, some of us so outrageously privileged, and others so undeservedly challenged and marginalized. And all of us human. Imagine that. Every single one of us simply human.
Shout-out to Alberta's amazing charity, Skipping Stone! They do amazing work for the trans and gender queer communities here and have been instrumental in the battle against Danielle Smith's legislated bigotry.
Please protect animals forests oceans all over the ? world and stop Big Oil from destroying them by stopping and to stop Trump fro. destroying wildlife animals and the oceans.
In N.S. the "Youth Project" in both Sydney and Halifax provide support to gay and trans youth. https://youthproject.ns.ca/
Trump and all supporters of him do not feel......I'm thinking of us all who have empathy for any organizations that are against trumps policies.
Thank you for this! I'm also a big fan of the work of Momentum Canada (https://www.momentumcanada.net).
Hello, Thank you so much for your advocacy! I am in Alberta, working hard every day to be an ally for issues like this & beyond. I would like to suggest two more groups for your list: - Égale Canada offers support & services in both English & French, & can be found here: https://egale.ca. - Skipping Stone in another group, I believe based in Calgary. Their website is https://www.skippingstone.ca. Thank you again for your good work!
Thank you for this post, it’s so so important to voice allyship every day, but especially these days. Extra proud to be a member of Greenpeace today. ??️??️⚧️❤️
Add 519 Toronto
Please stop Trump from making it illegal for LGBTQS and stop hate speech against them and make it legal for LGBTQS
And please stop deportation against LGBTQS as well stop violence against LGBTQS as well.
Another organization: Egale Canada. They are bringing law suits against the Alberta gov re: their anti trans legislation.
Here are websites for LGBT support groups: https://allout.org/en https://itgetsbettercanada.org/ https://www.momentumcanada.net/ https://capitalrainbow.ca/ https://egale.ca/ http://www.unisonfestivalunisson.ca/?lang=en
Hi There, My name is Christa Duvall, I’m the president of pflag Canada. We are a national charity that offers peer support to families and individuals who are coming out and living out. We have over 50 active chapters from coast to coast, and have been a landing spot for folx since the 70’s. Our website can be found at: www.pflagcanada.ca Please reach out with any questions you might have. In solidarity, Christa (They/iels/She/Elle)
We should probably add The 519 in Toronto Ontario. It's a community centre with programs and services for 2SLGBTQIA New comers to Canada, Senior members, Trans, and Youth and includes vaccination, legal clinics to name a few.
Please add: https://egale.ca (Egale Canada) Their mission: To improve the lives of 2SLGBTQI people in Canada and to enhance the global response to 2SLGBTQI issues. Egale will achieve this by informing public policy, inspiring cultural change, and promoting human rights and inclusion through research, education, awareness and legal advocacy.