What Canadians can do
We don’t control U.S. policy, but we do control our response.
Speak up: When Pride visibility is under attack—even elsewhere—we need to be louder in our solidarity. Local businesses, schools, and governments should reaffirm their support explicitly.
Support queer media and organizations: From Rainbow Railroad to The 519, Canadian orgs are doing frontline work that often fills in the gaps left by political inaction.
Challenge imported rhetoric: Whether it’s book bans or “parental rights” bills, we must recognize when American talking points show up in Canadian debates—and push back accordingly.
This is a real concern. A lot of the time people aren’t acting on strongly held values so much as just following the tide. Without MAGA craziness in the USA we wouldn’t have had truck convoys and Fuck Trudeau flags here. While some of us are well grounded in our values and unlikely to become bigots just because others are doing it, many will just drift gradually into it, especially if it’s easier to be a bigot than not. We need to double down on lobbying politicians for commitments to LGBTQ+ rights and supporting organizations that do this. Here are some I know of, for anyone who wants to get involved:
https://www.momentumcanada.net/
https://egale.ca/
https://pflagcanada.ca/
Rights erosion already happened in the UK. Take this extremely seriously.