Hate towards 2SLGBTQIA+ people is on the rise in Canada. Rising hate has been seen in country wide anti-2SLGBTQIA+ demonstrations in the fall of 2023, related to education policies, and the rapidly increasing number of hate crimes. Since 2016, hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation have increased 388%. In this past year alone, there was a 69% increase in reported hate crimes against 2SLGBTQIA+ people. In particular, research has shown that transgender Canadians face far greater violence than cisgender people and other members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
How do we track hate crimes?
A hate crime is defined as a crime committed against a person that is based only on the victim’s race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, nationality, or ethnicity. In Canada, hate crimes are tracked each year and are categorized by motivation. Motivation is typically grouped into the categories of race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, language, disability, sex and gender, age, and immigration status. Data on hate crimes are reported by Statistics Canada but are based on the number of hate crimes formally reported to police. Therefore, the number of hate crimes reported each year only represent a fraction of the actual crimes committed.
Significant changes in how hate crimes are tracked are still needed. Requiring reporting to police is a significant barrier to understanding the real rate of hate crimes in Canada. Further, procedures for categorizing 2SLGBTQIA+ related hate crimes are unclear as it still remains mainly focused on sexual orientation. More accessible and inclusive options for reporting and tracking hate crimes are needed.
How does hate influence health and wellbeing?
Hate crimes not only place people in physical danger but can also cause long lasting impacts on a person’s mental health. Experiencing a hate crime has been shown to increase the likelihood of developing both physical and mental health conditions. Harassment and discrimination can increase stress levels, results in greater mental health and wellbeing challenges. Even if a person has not been the direct victim of a hate crime or discriminatory experience, heightened fear and vigilance among the community can lead to greater stress, anxiety, and other mental health difficulties. A higher prevalence and severity of mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, is already present among the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, therefore growing hate and discrimination may further compound mental health challenges.
As hate crimes, discrimination, and anti-2SLGBTQIA+ rhetoric continues to grow, it is important to support our 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and organizations that provide support and advocate for greater protections and education. Stronger community connections and pride in our identities are some of the ways we can combat the stress of rising hate. Advocacy and education organization such as Egale and Momentum are among the groups countering hateful messaging about 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
Photo by Rosemary Ketchum
