What is the State of 2SLGBTQIA+ Rights in Canada?

Read more below to see what is happening in Canada.

  • More governments across the country are turning to the notwithstanding clause – a powerful tool that can limit certain Charter rights. Canadians are asking what this means for democracy and equality in our country.

    Learn more about the Notwithstanding Clause here!

  • In December 2024, the Government of Alberta passed three laws targeting gender-diverse youth and adults.

    • Bill 26: Health Statutes Amendment Act

    • Bill 27: Education Amendment Act

    • Bill 29: The Fairness and Safety in Sport Act

    Learn more about these bills and the actions of the Alberta government here.

  • In a victory for trans people and for advocates for 2SLGBTQI rights, the SCC’s judgment recognized that trans people are a systematically equity-denied group in Canada and that it is in the public interest to ensure that people can counter hate speech without having to fear being sued for defamation.

    Learn more about the case here!

  • The homophobic and transphobic equation of 2SLGBTQI people and allies with child abusers and pedophiles has been used to stoke fear and hatred against our communities for decades. In recent years, hateful groups have increasingly targeted family-friendly drag performances with the baseless accusation that drag performances constitute grooming children for sexual abuse.

    The court found that the term “groomer” is a slur that is used to “allege that drag performers sexualize children and aim to recruit them into the 2SLGBTQI community.” The court ruled that “perpetuating such stereotypes and myths about members of the 2SLGBTQI community is not public interest speech.”

    Learn more about this case here!

  • In this case, the Supreme Court of Canada will consider the use of the notwithstanding clause by the Government of Quebec in the context of Quebec’s Bill 21, the Act respecting the laicity of the State.

    Bill 21 bans public servants from wearing religious symbols while performing their duties, and requires public servants to have their faces uncovered while working. Bill 21 also invokes the notwithstanding clause.

    Learn more about this case here!