May 17th is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT). Heartwood Community Café calls for justice for LGBTQAI2 (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, asexual, intersex, two spirit) communities around the world.
Today and everyday, we fight for the rights, safety, and support of people who have been displaced from their homes and countries because of their sexual and/or gender identity, for queer youth navigating through homophobic and transphobic violence at school and in their homes, for trans women who are often mis- and under represented in media and in policy, though over-represented in reported hate crime.
We recognize that homophobia and transphobia do not happen in isolation; both violences link and overlap with a web of many other forms of oppression, such as racism, classism, ageism, ableism, and sexism. Recent reports have found that 54% of anti-LGBTQ homicide has been trans women, while 73% of anti-LGBTQ homicides are people of colour. These statistics are unsettling high and only show evidence from reported incidents, which is only the tip of the iceberg. One person killed or abused because of their sexual and/or gender identity is one too many.
Homophobia and transphobia are ingrained systemically in laws, education, media, and social norms. As settlers on the unceded and traditional lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil Waututh peoples, we also recognize that what is understood as "normal" and "acceptable" sexual and gender identities have been shaped as a result of cultural genocide of Indigenous communities. We work to figure out how creating a queer-inclusive space also connects with our work towards Indigenous solidarity.
Today and everyday, Heartwood Community Café continues in our collective journey of living everyday in love and liberation by understanding the importance of holding and continuously learning how to create a safer and inclusive space for LGBTQAI2 communities.
Join us tonight as we celebrate IDAHOT with an event full of music and storytelling organized by Rainbow Refugee!
In solidarity,
Heartwood Community Café
Today and everyday, we fight for the rights, safety, and support of people who have been displaced from their homes and countries because of their sexual and/or gender identity, for queer youth navigating through homophobic and transphobic violence at school and in their homes, for trans women who are often mis- and under represented in media and in policy, though over-represented in reported hate crime.
We recognize that homophobia and transphobia do not happen in isolation; both violences link and overlap with a web of many other forms of oppression, such as racism, classism, ageism, ableism, and sexism. Recent reports have found that 54% of anti-LGBTQ homicide has been trans women, while 73% of anti-LGBTQ homicides are people of colour. These statistics are unsettling high and only show evidence from reported incidents, which is only the tip of the iceberg. One person killed or abused because of their sexual and/or gender identity is one too many.
Homophobia and transphobia are ingrained systemically in laws, education, media, and social norms. As settlers on the unceded and traditional lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil Waututh peoples, we also recognize that what is understood as "normal" and "acceptable" sexual and gender identities have been shaped as a result of cultural genocide of Indigenous communities. We work to figure out how creating a queer-inclusive space also connects with our work towards Indigenous solidarity.
Today and everyday, Heartwood Community Café continues in our collective journey of living everyday in love and liberation by understanding the importance of holding and continuously learning how to create a safer and inclusive space for LGBTQAI2 communities.
Join us tonight as we celebrate IDAHOT with an event full of music and storytelling organized by Rainbow Refugee!
In solidarity,
Heartwood Community Café