April 13, 2021

For many young people, gaming and esports (competitive video gaming, often for money) are a source of fun and of community.

Both the games and the communities, however, are rife with racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and misogyny that can be not only toxic, but genuinely dangerous to marginalized youth. Too many young people have to contend with cyberbullying, threats, violent words, and even doxxing (the publishing of their personal information online, which carries the threat of real-world violence). Online trolling can have very real and sometimes tragic effects on the offline world. By now, it has become very clear that the time for cultural change in the gaming community is long past due.

To begin making esports safer for 2SLGBTQI youth, we’re asking young gamers (age 16-29): what have your experiences with esports been like? And what needs to change to make esports safer for you?

We’re now recruiting 2SLGBTQI gamers to participate in our new Youth in Esports Focus Group.

 

Sound like you or a young gamer in your life? Help us take action against cyber violence and learn more about eligibility at https://egale.ca/esports-focus-group/

 
 


Helen Kennedy, Executive Director

2SLGBTQI News

 

'Sexual minorities are often invisible': meet Seoul's only LGBT mayoral candidate | The Guardian

 

Elliot Page, Leyna Bloom and the trans artists forcing a shift in media representation | CBC

 

‘I want to show the pride’: photo essay of Two Spirit Indigenous people | The Guardian

 

Advocates call on NCAA to act in response to anti-trans laws | CTV

 

Judge to decide if gay couple who tied the knot in 1974 will have marriage validated | CBC

 

10 times trans and non-binary people showed strength, resilience and made history in the last year | Pink News

 

Register for 'Safe Hands Safe Hearts' COVID-19 Counselling Sessions

Sign up for Women's Health In Women's Hands and University of Toronto's Safe Hands Safe Hearts COVID-19 Counselling Sessions! The project aims to support sexual and gender minority communities amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and involves 3 online counselling sessions to increase COVID-19 knowledge and protective behaviours, and reduce pandemic stress (anxiety, depression, loneliness). "We encourage any adults over the age of 18 who identify as LGBTQIA+ to apply. In addition to receiving the counselling service, participants will be compensated $30 per session."

 

StatCan reports record-high number of hate crimes targeting sexual orientation in 2019

Statistics Canada recently released their 2019 annual report on police-reported hate crimes. While the numbers are grim, they are nowhere near surprising. For instance, “police reported 263 hate crimes targeting sexual orientation in 2019, up 41% from a year earlier. This was the highest number of hate crimes targeting sexual orientation dating back to 2009”.

 
 
 
 

In Case You Missed It: Trans Day of Visibility 2021

The recently passed Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) celebrates trans individuals, their achievements, and the hard-earned progress that has been made towards true equity for the trans community. Beyond that, though, TDOV is about renewing our commitment to educate ourselves on trans issues and to raise our voices against transphobia in all its forms. Whether you’re a trans person looking for support during this difficult time or looking to act in allyship to support the trans people in your life, we’ve got something to help. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Egale Canada Human Rights Trust
120 Carlton Street, Suite 217  | Toronto, Ontario M5A 4K2
416-964-7887 | donate@egale.ca

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Egale works to improve the lives of 2SLGBTQI people in Canada and to enhance the global response to 2SLGBTQI issues. Egale achieves this by informing public policy, inspiring cultural change, and promoting human rights and inclusion through research, education and community engagement. 

Our vision is a Canada, and ultimately a world, without homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and all other forms of oppression so that every person can achieve their full potential, free from hatred and bias. 

 

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