Winnipeg ‘No Space for Hate’ rally draws hundreds of 2SLGBTQ+ supporters to legislature

A rainbow-coloured heart with the words “you are loved” was held high in the crowd at a rally for 2SLGBTQ+ rights Saturday at Manitoba’s legislature.

Rainbow flags and posters advocating for tolerance and compassion were also on display at the “No Space for Hate” rally.

The demonstration drew hundreds to the grounds of the legislative building.

“It’s important to show up for ourselves but also for others who may not have the support that we have,” said queer ally Selenna Wolfe.

“It’s important because these are our human rights and they’re being attacked,” added two-spirit advocate Sadie Lavoie. “People think that it’s OK to spew violent rhetoric and to paint us in a negative, harmful light and try to strip us of our rights.”

Nearby at Winnipeg’s city hall, protesters were planning to gather for a “1MillionMarch4Children” – a repeat of the one in September – in opposition to what they call “gender ideology” in schools. Similar rallies were held in different cities in Manitoba, across Canada and the United States.

The conflicting protests centre around how Canadian schools should handle 2SLGBTQ+ issues – how they teach sexuality and how teachers refer to transgender youth.

They were sparked by policies in New Brunswick and Saskatchewan that require young people to get parental consent before teachers can use their preferred first names and pronouns.

The rainbow flags and signs like “protect trans youth” made it clear which side the demonstrators at Winnipeg’s legislature were on Saturday.

Lavoie, from Sagkeeng First Nation, says many people across different communities have faced hate in their lives, which is why the rally was meant to support everyone.

“The lines of oppression are intersectional and we support those that have been violated by colonization elsewhere.”

Lavoie says it’s time to uplift the voices of the Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ community because homophobia and transphobia are still prevalent within those circles.

“Two-spirit people have been here since time immemorial,” they said. “We’ve been here prior to colonization. We were highly revered, loved and respected. And because of the residential school system, a lot of our history is lost.

“So we’re here to prove that we have a right to exist and we have a place here, and we are to be respected and loved.”

Wolfe and her partner, who is trans, are raising a son together. Wolfe says they want him to be raised in a safe and inclusive environment, and they came to the rally to support the community.

“(We) want to make sure he feels loved and know that he can be whoever he wants to be,” she told CityNews.

“I feel for those that don’t feel safe. I feel for the kids. For adult kids.”

As protests and counter-protests continue, Wolfe says it’s important to show up to rallies to show people they have a safe space in Winnipeg to be who they are.

“Until we don’t have to anymore, we’ll show up,” she said. “And even then, we can celebrate together.”