Statement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2024

In 2023, Egale Canada released an open letter urging all municipalities to fly the Pride flag as a symbol of solidarity for 2SLGBTQI people in their community as anti-2SLGBTQI hate continues to rise across Canada. 

A year later, we are deeply concerned to see municipalities and school boards continuing to vote against allowing Pride symbols despite the ongoing rise in anti-2SLGBTQI hate and deterioration of safety for 2SLGBTQI communities. 

Pride flags and crosswalks in public spaces are so much more than symbolic gestures – they promote a more inclusive, diverse, and vibrant community. 2SLGBTQI individuals are more likely to feel safe and welcome in areas where the Pride flag is displayed. 

In reality, these so-called ‘neutrality’ campaigns to remove Pride symbols are fuelled by disinformation and hate. These steps backwards for inclusion have devastating real-life consequences for 2SLGBTQI communities. Earlier this year, Statistics Canada confirmed what community members already know: hate crimes targeting 2SLGBTQI people are rising each year. And now, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has warned of threats of “extreme violence” against 2SLGBTQI communities. 

At its core, the Pride flag represents a simple yet powerful message: that all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. This is not a political issue, but a matter of basic human rights.

Egale Canada again calls on every municipality and school board in Canada – including small towns and rural communities – to fly the Pride flag and show that they stand with and value 2SLGBTQI people in their communities.

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Representatives from Egale Canada are available for further comment on this matter. To schedule an interview please email: media@egale.ca. 

Egale Canada has launched the Rainbow Action Hub – a one-stop shop for the why and how to combat the rise of anti-2SLGBTQI hate in Canada. The hub includes resources, tools, education, and information aimed at 2SLGBTQI organizations, advocates and activists.