When our rights, safety, and dignity are under attack, we defend each other.
For generations, 2SLGBTQI+ communities have proven a simple truth: When our rights, safety, and dignity are under attack, we defend each other.
Today, as anti-queer and anti-trans movements gain ground around the world, more of us are forced to flee home because of who we are and who we love.
The 519’s Army of Lovers and Rainbow Railroad are joining forces with community partners to say clearly and unapologetically:
Defend Refugees
Sign the Open Letter
This letter comes from Defend Refugees, a coalition of queer and trans refugees, advocates, frontline organizations, and community partners convened by The 519 and Rainbow Railroad.
Right now, queer and trans refugees are facing rising hate. The impacts of Bill C-12, cuts to healthcare, housing instability, and anti-immigrant sentiment are hurting our community.
We know what happens when governments turn away, when fear becomes policy, and when people are told we do not belong and we are too costly to protect.
Queer and trans refugees do not come to Canada because we have a choice. We come because we are left with no choice.
Canada promised to be a place of refuge. Yet too many members of our community are struggling in a refugee system that is becoming harder to navigate, harder to trust, and harder to survive.
We are neighbours, organizers, artists, workers, elders, youth, friends, and family. We are people with knowledge, power, grief, courage, and a right to shape the decisions that affect our lives.
This Pride, join The 519’s Army of Lovers, Rainbow Railroad, and community partners.
Defend queer and trans refugees.
Defend the right to seek safety.
Defend the truth in the face of fear and division.
Pride has always been a protest and a celebration. A moment when our community becomes visible and impossible to ignore. Pride is a promise that we will stand up for one another when it matters most.
Queer and trans refugees belong here. We defend each other. Defend Refugees.