Dedicated to the well-being and economic status

The acronym 2SLGBTQ+ represents a community of individuals who identify as two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other non-traditional gender identities or sexual orientations. It is a growing community advocating for equal human and reproductive rights while fighting against discriminatory laws, norms, and practices. Members of this community celebrate IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia) on May 17^th in 130 countries despite the fact that same-sex acts are illegal in 37 of them.  How brave is that?

International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia was created as a channel to unite and advocate and to raise awareness towards the indiscriminate violence targeting members the 2SLGBTQ+ community.  At Connect and within our Women’s Resources Centres we recommit to our crucial role in supporting individuals who identify as two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other non-traditional gender identities or sexual orientations by adopting inclusive and intersectional approaches to our policies, programs and services. We intend to implement and advocate for policies that explicitly include and protect individuals of all gender identities and sexual orientations. We extend that to our own organizational practices, such as hiring processes and event planning by ensuring they are inclusive and considerate of diverse identities.  We commit to conducting workshops, seminars, and training sessions to educate members and the wider community about the unique challenges faced by individuals with non-traditional gender identities and sexual orientations and foster a culture of continuous learning to keep up with evolving language, issues, and concerns within the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Ingrained within Connect is the recognition of intersectionality and feminism, as such we recognize and aim to support the intersecting identities of individuals who come to us for support. We will consider the influences of race, ethnicity, disability, socio-economic status, gender identity, and sexual orientation with whoever comes to our door.  We want to collaborate with organizations that focus on specific intersections to ensure a more comprehensive and nuanced approach to our own work, and that of our partners. We embrace an intersectional feminist framework at all levels of our organizations that acknowledges the interconnected nature of social identities to address the overlapping forms of oppression faced by individuals with non-traditional gender identities and sexual orientations.

Here are additional ways Connect will celebrate IDAHOBIT year to support 2SLGBTQ+ clients, peers and partners:

• Advocate:
  • Actively advocate for 2SLGBTQ+ rights, including legal recognition, anti-discrimination laws, and healthcare access.
  • Collaborate with other advocacy groups to amplify the collective voice in addressing systemic issues affecting the community.
  • Advocate for accurate and positive representation of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations in media.
  • Challenge harmful stereotypes and promote media content that reflects the rich diversity within the LGBTQ+ community.
• Provide Mental Health Support:
  • Provide resources and support for mental health issues that disproportionately affect 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, such as bullying, discrimination, and coming-out experiences.
  • Advocate for accessible and inclusive mental health services that address the unique needs of the community.
• Build Community:
  • Foster a sense of community and belonging by organizing events, support groups, and safe spaces where individuals with non-traditional gender identities and sexual orientations can connect and share experiences within our Centres.
  • Celebrate diversity within the community and acknowledge the contributions of all members.
  • Act as allies to other marginalized groups and collaborate with organizations that focus on specific issues within the LGBTQ+ spectrum.
  • Build coalitions and partnerships to amplify the impact of advocacy efforts.
• Challenge Policy and and Provide Legal Support:
  • Advocate for and support policies that protect the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, including legal recognition of diverse gender identities, non-discrimination laws, and marriage equality.
  • Provide legal assistance or connect individuals with legal resources to address discrimination or harassment.

In summary, Connect commits to effectively support individuals with non-traditional gender identities and sexual orientations by adopting inclusive practices, advocating for rights, providing resources, and fostering a sense of community and belonging.

Find out more about what you can do.

Additional Resources:

https://humanrights.novascotia.ca/IDAHOBIT2023

https://www.unfpa.org/events/international-day-against-homophobia-transphobia-and-biphobia

https://may17.org/about/

https://www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca/blogs/post/gender-identity-and-expression-as-human-rights/

https://human-rights-channel.coe.int/idahotb-en.html