Rainbow Action Hub

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About the Rainbow Action Hub

Egale Canada’s Rainbow Action Hub is your 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, activists and anyone who wants to understand and combat anti-2SLGBTQI hate.

The Rainbow Action Hub’s resources and tools will assist you with:

  1. Understanding anti-2SLGBTQI hate in Canada.
  2. Understanding and Combating Mis/Dis/Malinformation.
  3. Crafting messaging and communication that is purposeful, strategic and direct.
  4. Ensuring safety amidst anti-2SLGBTQI hate
  5. Planning and implementing advocacy initiatives to combat anti-2SLGBTQI hate.
  6. Find and connect with your local 2SLGBTQI organizations.

The Rainbow Action Hub will be updated regularly with information and tools that respond to current affairs. If you have suggestions for tools you’d like to see on the Rainbow Action Hub send us an email at communications@egale.ca

Anti-2SLGBTQI Hate in Canada

An Overview of Anti-2SLGBTQI Hate in Canada

It’s no secret that 2SLGBTQI communities, our rights, and our freedoms are under attack.

There has been an exponential rise in anti-2SLGBTQI and hate-fueled movements across Canada. We see it in the anti-trans policies and policy proposals emerging provincially and federally, and in the rising rates of hate crimes, hate speech, and hate in the form of coordinated anti-trans protests in cities across Canada.

Anti-2SLGBTQI Hate Areas of Focus

Some of the areas in which anti-2SLGBTQI hate shows up includes:

Research shows that the current rise in anti-2SLGBTQI hate being experienced in Canada began in early 2022, with a significant wave of anti-2SLGBTQI activities continuing across the country from 2022 to the present. From this latest increase in hate crimes (see below), to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) warning of ongoing threats of violence, to individual drag performers and local 2SLGBTQI community organizations needing to take legal action to protect themselves, this trend of increasing violence and hate shows no sign of stopping. 

What Does the Data Say?

Statistics Canada has reported that in 2023, hate crimes targeting sexual orientation increased 69% from the previous year.

These numbers are alarming but unsurprising, as this trend has been ongoing for years.

From 2016-2023, police-reported hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation have increased a staggering 388%. As noted by Statistics Canada, police-reported hate crimes have risen sharply for the third time in four years.

These types of hate crimes target a person’s identity – sexual orientation, race, or religion – and they impact not only the individual but the wider community. 

How and Why Does Anti-2SLGBTQI Hate Spread?

Anti-2SLGBTQI players lean on neutral/common sense concepts like free speech, democracy, and “protection of children”. They do not count on the majority to believe what they say, but rather, the majority will defend their right to say. By pairing anti-2SLGBTQI ideas with an easily given right (such as freedom), anti-2SLGBTQI rhetoric gains legitimacy.


Additionally, this rise in anti-2SLGBTQI hate and specifically anti-trans hate is directly linked to the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. Coordinated anti-2SLGBTQI movements rely on the general public’s lack of familiarity with 2SLGBTQI people and issues to disseminate harmful disinformation and malformation.

Understanding and Combatting Mis/Dis/Malinformation

This rise in anti-2SLGBTQI and specifically anti-trans hate is directly linked to the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation (MDM).

Coordinated anti-2SLGBTQI movements are relying on the general public’s lack of familiarity with trans and gender diverse people to disseminate harmful disinformation and malformation.

What is misinformation?

False or inaccurate information. The individual sharing the misinformation
believes it to be true.

What is disinformation?

Deliberately false information, often used for manipulation.

What is malinformation?

Information that stems from truth, but is taken out of context or exaggerated
in order to mislead or manipulate.

Featured Resources

Decoding the News: A Media Literacy Guide for Understanding Anti-2SLGBTQI Media Manipulation and Disinformation Tactics

This resource is designed to help readers critically engage with the growing volume of harmful narratives targeting 2SLGBTQI communities in media and public discourse.

Ready to Respond: A Guide for Understanding and Responding to Anti-2SLGBTQI Misinformation, Disinformation and Malinformation

This resource equips individuals and communities with the knowledge and tools needed to recognize, understand, and respond effectively to misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation about 2SLGBTQI communities.

‘Egale Explains’ Resources

Egale Canada is creating explainer resources to empower everyone with the knowledge they need to adequately have educated conversations about these complex topics. Is there a topic or issue you’d like to see added below? Contact us at communications@egale.ca.

Misinformation, Disinformation, and Malinformation

Read Resource Description

The rise in anti-2SLGBTQI hate is directly linked to the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and malformation (MDM). Use this resource to understand what MDM is, how to spot it, and how to stop it.

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What Are Puberty Blockers?

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Puberty blockers can offer tremendous mental health benefits to a young person. This resource answers the question, “What exactly are puberty blockers?”

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Common Myths and Misconceptions About Trans Youth

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Misinformation and disinformation feed many myths and misconceptions that people have about trans and nonbinary youth. This resource debunks a few of the biggest ones.

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School Pronoun Policies

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With the rise of so-called “school pronoun policies” use the resource to understand what’s at stake when young people who are forced to choose between being outed to their families and being misgendered at school.

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Trans Women in Sport

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There’s lots of misinformation in the world about trans women participating in sport. Use this resource to understand what trans-inclusive sport actually looks like.

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“Transvestigation” in Sport and How it Feeds Misogyny

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Transphobia and misogyny are closely linked together and many who are swept up in this moral panic of transphobia are actually harming those who they claim to protect. One increasingly common process that proponents claim is to “protect women” is so-called “transvestigating”.

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What is Drag and What Are Drag Storytimes?

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During this time of rising 2SLGBTQI-hate, much of the hate is aimed at drag artists and family-friendly drag storytimes. Use this resource to accurately explain what each of these art forms are.

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Hate Crimes and Hate Incidents

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In common language, we often use the term ‘hate crime’ whenever hate occurs. However, it is important to know that ‘hate crime’ has a specific definition in criminal law. Use this resource to understand how to accurately talk about hate crime.

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FAQ About Gender Identity 

When discussing gender identity, misinformation and disinformation are widespread. Use this resource to navigate common questions and gain a clearer, fact-based understanding.

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The Canadian Government System and how it Intersects with 2SLGBTQI Communities

What are the three levels of government (federal, provincial/territorial, municipal) responsible for? And how do these responsibilities affect aspects of 2SLGBTQI communities?

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What is Transition?

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People transition for a variety of reasons, primarily related to gender identity. Use this resource to understand what transition can include.

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Pride Flag Bans

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In this Egale Explains resource, we’ll go over how Pride flags are getting banned, why it’s important to continue advocating for Pride flags being flown. You’ll also find tips on how to bring it up with your communities when you’re advocating for your local Pride flag.

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Research Says…

An important tactic in combating hate is presenting facts. Egale Canada has a plethora of research to support you in combating anti-2SLGBTQI hate.

2022 Police-Reported Hate Crimes

From Statistics Canada: the number of police-reported hate crimes targeting sexual orientation continues to increase every year. 

Read this Brief

Still in Every Class, in Every School Report

Still in Every Class in Every School (Peter, Campbell & Taylor, 2021) surveyed students across Canada about their experiences with homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, harassment, mental health and sense of safety, and support at school. 

Read this Research Report


Working for Change Report

Egale Canada’s Working for Change report examines the workplace experiences, barriers to employment, and discrimination faced by Two Spirit, trans, and nonbinary people. 

Read this Research Report


Pride Unravelled Report

Egale Canada’s Pride Unravelled report tracked the number of anti-2SLGBTQI protests and instances of online hate in Canada from January-March 2023. 

Read this Research Report


Other Resources

Valuable resources from other organizations.

Expelling Transphobia

A handbook of strategies to address transphobic attacks in the B.C. school system.

Access this resource

Media & Messaging

The rise in anti-2SLGBTQI hate is often coordinated and has strategic messaging attached to it. To counter this hate, it’s important to have messaging that is purposeful, strategic and direct.

Whether you’re talking to your local news reporter or a family member at the kitchen table, messaging has the power to shape attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours, making them indispensable tools in the fight against anti-2SLGBTQI hate and the promotion of equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals.

Featured Resource

Inclusive Narratives: A Messaging Guide for 2SLGBTQI Advocacy

We have created this guide to provide the tools needed by advocates and organizations to develop effective messaging to combat the ongoing rise in anti-2SLGBTQI hate.

The content in this guide was informed by We Will Win: Guide to Campaign Messaging in Support of Trans Youth. While We Will Win remains applicable for messaging in support of trans youth, this guide has been developed for broader use by all 2SLGBTQI advocates and organizations.

Difficult Conversation Guide

This resource is designed to empower you with the knowledge you need to have the difficult conversations needed to tackle anti-2SLGBTQI hate, and help familiarize members of your community with the issues facing trans and gender diverse people across Canada.

2SLGBTQI Advocacy Communications Toolkit

Trying to combat anti-2SLGBTQI hate? Use our 2SLGBTQI Advocacy Communications Toolkit to plan a successful advocacy communications campaign

Safety & Advocacy

In this time of rising anti-2SLGBTQI hate, it’s important to be safe and fight back. Use these resources for just that.

Guides for 2SLGBTQI people and allies on how to stay safe amid rising levels of anti-2SLGBTQI hate at public events.

  • Pride Safety Toolkit for Event Attendees
  • Pride Safety Toolkit for Event Organizers
  • 2SLGBTQI Protest Safety Guide

Developed by Egale Canada and Fierté Canada Pride with support from the Canadian Anti-Hate Network.

A Safe Night ‘Out’: A Guide for 2SLGBTQI Safety

Whether you’re heading to a bar, a club, or attending a community event, it’s crucial to remember that safety and enjoyment should go hand-in-hand. This guide outlines steps you can take to have a safe night out and protect yourself, your friends, and communities.

Don’t Discount Hate: A Retail Guide to Anti-2SLGBTQI Hate

Designed for retail managers and business owners, this guide includes information on how to deal with hateful customers, things to consider when involving police and how to ensure a safe environment for customers, employers and yourself when anti-2SLGBTQI hate occurs.

Find & Connect with your Local 2SLGBTQI Organizations

Canada is full of 2SLGBTQI organizations of every size. Working with local organizations is crucial when combating anti-2SLGBTQI hate because they bring contextual understanding, community trust, tailored interventions, rapid response capabilities, capacity building, an intersectional approach, policy advocacy, and long-term sustainability to the fight against discrimination and prejudice.

Use this page to discover local organizations near you for collaboration to combat anti-2SLGBTQI hate.

Find Your Local 2SLGBTQI Organization

Don’t see your local 2SLGBTQI organization? Fill out the below form:


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Thank You to the Rainbow Action Hub Partners

Egale Canada would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Rainbow Action Hub partners for their invaluable support and generosity. Without their dedication and investment, our progress in combatting the rise in anti-2SLGBTQI hate would not be possible.

Support the Rainbow Action Hub

Do you find the Rainbow Action Hub helpful? Donate to Egale so we can continue this work!