LGBTQ

Jennifer Charlesworth, B.C.’s representative for children and youth is seen in Victoria on Monday, Dec. 10, 2018. Charlesworth says her office conducted a review of critical injury and death reports of youth between 2018 and 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dirk Meissner

Anti-trans hate speech causing ‘great harm,’ to gender-diverse children: Report

Representative for Children and Youth calls on government to address disinformation, discrimination

Jennifer Charlesworth, B.C.’s representative for children and youth is seen in Victoria on Monday, Dec. 10, 2018. Charlesworth says her office conducted a review of critical injury and death reports of youth between 2018 and 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dirk Meissner
Fae Johnstone, a transgender activist who was one of five women featured on limited-edition Hershey chocolate bars in March, is seen in an undated handout photo. Experts and LGBTQ community members say they are concerned about the normalization of anti-LGBTQ hate and its impact on mental health and safety, as online rhetoric spills into the real world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Fae Johnstone

Fears for LGBTQ mental health, as flood of online hate spills into real world

Fae Johnstone says “nothing ever could have prepared” her for the barrage…

Fae Johnstone, a transgender activist who was one of five women featured on limited-edition Hershey chocolate bars in March, is seen in an undated handout photo. Experts and LGBTQ community members say they are concerned about the normalization of anti-LGBTQ hate and its impact on mental health and safety, as online rhetoric spills into the real world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Fae Johnstone
Human rights activist Paul Canary Kanyamu is shown in a handout photo. Kanyamu says life felt like “hell on Earth” before he escaped Africa and found refuge in Vancouver about two months ago. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

After escaping violence and persecution, LGBTQ refugees find peace in Canada

Paul Canary Kanyamu says life felt like “hell on Earth” before he…

Human rights activist Paul Canary Kanyamu is shown in a handout photo. Kanyamu says life felt like “hell on Earth” before he escaped Africa and found refuge in Vancouver about two months ago. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO
Loyal Wooldridge. (Contributed)

People of privilege called on to support queer community after ‘hate crime’ in Kelowna

City Councillor Ron Cannon said all people should be respected after a surge homophobia

Loyal Wooldridge. (Contributed)
Surrey school district education centre, pictured April 13, 2022. (Photo: Lauren Collins)

‘Aggressive’ anti-SOGI protest forces B.C. school trustees to cut meeting short

‘As a board, we were prepared for the worst’: board chair

Surrey school district education centre, pictured April 13, 2022. (Photo: Lauren Collins)
J. Harrison Ghee accepts the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical for "Some Like It Hot" at the 76th annual Tony Awards on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at the United Palace theater in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
J. Harrison Ghee accepts the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical for "Some Like It Hot" at the 76th annual Tony Awards on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at the United Palace theater in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
(Photo- Ajeet Brar/Facebook)

Penticton rainbow crosswalk vandalized less than 48 hours after installation

Leaders in the community issued a statement on May 24, condemning hate towards the project

(Photo- Ajeet Brar/Facebook)
Customers make their way through the parking lot of a Target store Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Target is removing certain items from its stores and making other changes to its LGBTQ+ merchandise nationwide ahead of Pride month after an intense backlash from some customers including violent confrontations with its workers. (AP Photo/George Walker IV

Target on the defensive after removing some products aimed at LGBTQ+

Target once distinguished itself as being boldly supportive of the LGBTQ+ community.…

Customers make their way through the parking lot of a Target store Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Target is removing certain items from its stores and making other changes to its LGBTQ+ merchandise nationwide ahead of Pride month after an intense backlash from some customers including violent confrontations with its workers. (AP Photo/George Walker IV
Pride month merchandise is displayed at the front of a Target store in Hackensack, N.J., Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Target is removing certain items from its stores and making other changes to its LGBTQ+ merchandise nationwide ahead of Pride month after an intense backlash from some customers including violent confrontations with its workers. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Target on the defensive after removing LGBTQ+-themed products

Target once distinguished itself as being boldly supportive of the LGBTQ+ community.…

Pride month merchandise is displayed at the front of a Target store in Hackensack, N.J., Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Target is removing certain items from its stores and making other changes to its LGBTQ+ merchandise nationwide ahead of Pride month after an intense backlash from some customers including violent confrontations with its workers. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Alex Kofi Donkor from Ghana poses for a photo in Ottawa on Friday, May 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

‘Listen to us’: LGBTQ activists seek help, prudence in raising human rights abroad

Last year, Trudeau denounced Uganda’s legislation that prescribes life imprisonment for homosexual acts

Alex Kofi Donkor from Ghana poses for a photo in Ottawa on Friday, May 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Province sets new standards for gender and sex data, which is intended to clarify the difference between gender and sex by providing alternative definitions. (Pixabay photo)

British Columbians will soon be able to self-identify gender on government forms

Province’s Gender and Sex Data Standards updated to be more inclusive, accurate

Province sets new standards for gender and sex data, which is intended to clarify the difference between gender and sex by providing alternative definitions. (Pixabay photo)
FILE - Lizzo arrives at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. In a concert Friday, April 21, 2023 in Knoxville, Tenn., Lizzo filled the stage with drag queens in a glittery protest against the state’s legislation designed to restrict drag performances in public. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Lizzo brings drag queens on stage, protesting Tennessee law

Pending legislation looks to restrict drag performances

FILE - Lizzo arrives at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. In a concert Friday, April 21, 2023 in Knoxville, Tenn., Lizzo filled the stage with drag queens in a glittery protest against the state’s legislation designed to restrict drag performances in public. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
A University of British Columbia expert says the image of “white, affluent men” isn’t an accurate portrayal of gay dads across North America – and it can have real-world implications. (Image: UBC)

‘White, affluent men’ isn’t accurate portrayal of gay dads in North America: UBC expert

Professor suggests gender-neutral parental leave policies, expanding IVF coverage to social infertility

A University of British Columbia expert says the image of “white, affluent men” isn’t an accurate portrayal of gay dads across North America – and it can have real-world implications. (Image: UBC)
Ra, of Vancouver, was one of the MCs for the 2022 Surrey Pride Festival at Central City Plaza on June 25, 2022. (File photo: Lauren Collins)

‘Seeing it bleed across the border’: B.C. MLA looks to protect drag performers from violence

Spencer Chandra Herbert brought forward motion following several incidents across the province

Ra, of Vancouver, was one of the MCs for the 2022 Surrey Pride Festival at Central City Plaza on June 25, 2022. (File photo: Lauren Collins)
The Vancouver Police Department has released photos of two suspects believed to have been involved in assaults during a trans-rights rally in Vancouver on Friday (March 31). (Photos courtesy of VPD)

Vancouver police investigating ‘violent confrontations’ at trans-rights rally

At least 2 people believed to have been assaulted during rally and counter protest Friday

The Vancouver Police Department has released photos of two suspects believed to have been involved in assaults during a trans-rights rally in Vancouver on Friday (March 31). (Photos courtesy of VPD)
Vancouver Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko celebrates after scoring during third period NHL hockey action against the St. Louis Blues Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in St. Louis. Coach Rick Tocchet says Canucks forward Kuzmenko won’t wear a themed warm-up jersey when Vancouver hosts its annual Pride night on Friday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Jeff Roberson

Vancouver Canucks winger Andrei Kuzmenko won’t wear Pride warm-up jersey: coach

NHLPA: Whether a player wears the themed jersey comes down to individual rights,

Vancouver Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko celebrates after scoring during third period NHL hockey action against the St. Louis Blues Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in St. Louis. Coach Rick Tocchet says Canucks forward Kuzmenko won’t wear a themed warm-up jersey when Vancouver hosts its annual Pride night on Friday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Jeff Roberson
Zac Jones of the New York Rangers skates with a stick decorated for “Pride Night” in warm-ups prior to the game against the Washington Capitals, in New York City, Monday, May 3, 2021.NHL players refusing to participate in Pride nights around the league shows hockey still isn’t safe for a number of LGBTQ people, says one of the first male professional players to publicly come out as gay. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Bruce Bennett, POOL

More work needed to make hockey safe for LGBTQ people: former pro player

NHL Pride nights to promote inclusivity have seen players refusing to take part.

Zac Jones of the New York Rangers skates with a stick decorated for “Pride Night” in warm-ups prior to the game against the Washington Capitals, in New York City, Monday, May 3, 2021.NHL players refusing to participate in Pride nights around the league shows hockey still isn’t safe for a number of LGBTQ people, says one of the first male professional players to publicly come out as gay. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Bruce Bennett, POOL
FILE - Dolly Parton, left, and Miley Cyrus perform “Jolene” at the 61st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 10, 2019. Administrators at Heyer Elementary School in Waukesha, Wis., aren’t letting a first-grade class perform “Rainbowland,” a Cyrus and Parton duet from Cyrus’ 2017 album “Younger Now,” promoting LGBTQ acceptance, because they say the song could be seen as controversial. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)

American elementary school bans Miley, Dolly duet from class concert

Performance of the song Rainbowland ‘could be perceived as controversial’

FILE - Dolly Parton, left, and Miley Cyrus perform “Jolene” at the 61st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 10, 2019. Administrators at Heyer Elementary School in Waukesha, Wis., aren’t letting a first-grade class perform “Rainbowland,” a Cyrus and Parton duet from Cyrus’ 2017 album “Younger Now,” promoting LGBTQ acceptance, because they say the song could be seen as controversial. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)
Frederick Lea Hardy’s name carved into the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France, April 2022 is shown in a handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Sarah Worthman

Punishment of First World War soldiers for sexual orientation detailed in new study

Those caught were often issued sentences of hard labour in prison

Frederick Lea Hardy’s name carved into the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France, April 2022 is shown in a handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Sarah Worthman
Kenyan gays and lesbians and others supporting their cause wear masks to preserve their anonymity as they stage a rare protest against Uganda's tough stance against homosexuality and in solidarity with their counterparts there, outside the Uganda High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya on Feb. 10, 2014. Ugandan lawmakers passed a bill Tuesday, March 21, 2023 prescribing jail terms of up to 10 years for offenses related to same-sex relations, responding to popular sentiment but piling more pressure on the East African country's LGBTQ community. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)

Uganda’s legislature passes harsh new anti-LGBT bill

Ugandan lawmakers passed a bill prescribing jail terms of up to 10…

Kenyan gays and lesbians and others supporting their cause wear masks to preserve their anonymity as they stage a rare protest against Uganda's tough stance against homosexuality and in solidarity with their counterparts there, outside the Uganda High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya on Feb. 10, 2014. Ugandan lawmakers passed a bill Tuesday, March 21, 2023 prescribing jail terms of up to 10 years for offenses related to same-sex relations, responding to popular sentiment but piling more pressure on the East African country's LGBTQ community. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)