Canadians are headed to the polls in a pivotal federal election amid a global forecast for human rights characterized more by storm clouds than peaceful horizons. 

The recent election of Donald Trump to a second presidential term has put an undeniable chill down the collective spines of advocates for queer and trans communities and our allies.

Here at home, recent changes to provincial laws in Alberta, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan have turbocharged conversations around the need to reinforce gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation as protected human rights grounds in Canada. 

But blatantly anti-trans laws in some provinces and rising anti-queer hate globally aren’t merely daunting challenges: they’re calls to action for queer and trans people to step into leadership roles. 

What better time to do so than during a consequential federal election campaign?

Queer and trans people often don’t see themselves reflected in government, politics and election campaigns. It’s no wonder: of the 338 MPs that served in the last Parliament, only eight identified as members of the 2SLGBTQIA community.  

There has never been an openly trans Member of Parliament. While there have been historic milestones at the provincial level, such as the........

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