Summit 2024: Vigilance & Vision
Canada is on a precipice. With a federal election on the horizon, harbouring the potential of a massive political regime change, queer and trans communities face the possibilities of harsh funding cuts and renewed debates about what it means for us to live, love, and access health care.
Beyond these threats, a chilling effect which dampens support for our communities sweeps across the nation. Anti-2S/LGBTQIA+ extremist and populist movements have become more vocal and organized in lobbying disinformation and scare tactics to create the misperception that the progress 2S/LGBTQIA+ people seek in public policies—such as health care and education—to make society more inclusive and affirming for all are inherently harmful to the general public.
This could not be further from the truth. The significant gains that queer and trans activists have fought for have improved health and wellness for many within and beyond our communities. When we make systems safer and more supportive for 2S/LGBTQIA+ people, they become safer and more supportive for everyone.
Yet decision-makers and practitioners continue to fall for and pursue false narratives concerning gender-affirming care, sex education, substance use, reproductive care, HIV and STIs, and many other issues that deeply impact us. This has been especially true concerning trans and gender-diverse people who have been made the latest target of hate campaigns. Even those who identify as allies are turning away for fear of blowback, retribution, and condemnation.
But this doesn’t have to be how our story goes. By coming together, building coalitions, and making noise, we can better recentre ourselves in conversations about our health and wellbeing to help correct the narrative. It is in this spirit that we invite you to join Summit 2024.
This Summit, we want to highlight Two-Spirit, queer, and trans people who are taking back control of our community’s narrative and care—leading research, developing resources, and delivering programs designed by and for 2S/LGBTQIA+ communities. We want to uplift and celebrate each other and bring joy to work that can too often exhaust so many of us. We want to find new ways to synergize and propel forward our intersecting movements: anti-racism, anti-colonialism, disability justice, and more. And we want to champion new, creative ways of reaching the members of our communities with health solutions—and generating innovative solutions.
After all, this is not just about holding the line. We want to advance our position, making life better for all 2S/LGBTQIA+ people. Defiance must be met with innovation, and frustration with optimism. At Summit 2024, it’s time we take back our stories.
Learn about Summit 2024’s program, registration, and logistics.