Affirming Connections stands in support of drag performers and 2SLGBTQ+ communities across Canada.

Over the past year, we have seen a clear rise in malicious misinformation, conspiracy theories, threats, and violence that  target drag performers and trans people. In 2021 alone, hate crimes against the queer community rose by 64%, and this number continues to rise.  

Family-friendly, age-appropriate drag storytime performances for children have become frequent targets of hatred and protests. This puts unnecessary strain on a community of performers participating in a universal, deeply-rooted art form and medium for gender expression. It also stokes the flames of bigotry against anyone perceived to go against rigid gender “norms” and puts drag performers, as well as trans and gender-nonconforming people, at higher risk of receiving harassment and abuse. 

Much of this abuse and misinformation is connected to Christian far-right groups, and is sometimes couched explicitly in a theological defense. 

We believe that a religious attack calls for a religious response. It is the responsibility of those who identify as people of faith, faith leaders, and faith communities, to actively refute these kinds of bigotry, both within their own groups and the wider community. 

We invite you to add your name to this letter to let others know that you publicly stand with drag performers and the 2SLGBTQ+ folks who have been facing the brunt of these threats. Your voice on this issue truly matters. 

Please share!

Thank you to the 380+ people who have signed so far:

  • Connie Hovdebo, St. David's United Church

  • Steven Archambault, Stonewall Recovery

  • Rev. Jen Broomhead, Harmony United Church

  • Myrl Eddy, United Church of Canada

  • Brie Schmidt, St. Andrew's United Church Lacombe, AB

  • Michelle Gunderson, United Church

  • Rev. Craig Miller, Knox United Church, Brandon, MB

  • Gillian McLeod, Social Justice and Outreach, United Churches of Langley

  • Larry Kelly, Gower Outreach Committee, United Church of Canada

  • Lois Burr, Steinbach United Church

  • Judith Walker, United Church of Canada

  • Rev. Tracy Robertson, St. Thomas United Church

  • Brian Gadsby, Board Co-Chair, Steinbach United Church

  • Heike Reck, Grace United Church, Thornbury

  • Jon Dobbin, Affirming Team Leader & Council Member, Eden United Church

  • Crystal Lynne Dawn Day Chief

  • Rochelle Lamoureux, Commons Church

  • John Bennett, Chair of Board of Stewards, Norwood United Church

  • Betty Bennett, Member of Session, Chair of Affirming Commitee, Norwood United Church

  • Madi Cullen, Protestant Christian

  • Rev. Grace EunKyung Lee, Waterford United Church

  • Joe Veit, Eden United Church

  • Karen Kempe, St Paul’s United Church, Souri,s MB

  • Lynne Manns, Affirming Committee, Knox United Church, Brandon, MB

  • Linda Bossler, Member of Affirming Committee, Robert McClure United Church, Calgary, AB

  • Lyall Campbell, Board Chair, St Andrews United Church, Outlook, SK

  • Karen Montgomery, Progressive Christian

  • Dave Mabell, Committee Member, McKillop United, Lethbridge

  • Dana Burgess

  • Carolyn Long

  • Julien van Dinther, Anglican

  • Susan Turner, Board Chair & Affirming Committee Co-Chair, Knox United Church, Caledon Village, ON

  • Samantha Ginter

  • Ken and Gay Boese, Steinbach United Church

  • Shelley Spence, Co-Chair of Church Council, Fish Creek United Church

  • Mary Siever, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

  • Donna Vernon, Kamloops United Church

  • Louise Rogers, Team Lead for Affirming Ministry, Sherwood Park United Church

  • Jessica Andrews, Pastor of Faith Formation and Community, The Road Church (Christian Reformed Church of North America)

  • Rev. Ian Sloan, New Vision United Church, Hamilton, ON

  • Sharon Woodhouse, Scarboro United Church

  • Karen Kavanagh, Affirming Committee, St Thomas United Church

  • Elizabeth Snell, Affirming Committee, Dublin St. United Church, Guelph ON

  • Rev. Lorna King, United Church South Sask Hospital Chaplaincy

  • Daryl and Lesley and Luke Sedor, Lakeview United Church, Calgary

  • Merle Ann May, Fish Creek United Church

  • Allison Sarauer, United Church of Canada, Westminster Humboldt

  • Jim Picken, Music Director, Knox Presbyterian Church

  • Carolyn Herold, Anglican Priest

  • Christine Dolson, Council Member, Affirming Ministry Coordinator, Kamloops United Church

  • Richard Zboril, Fish Creek United Church

  • Kelly Lockwood

  • Michelle Robinson, Indigenous

  • Gabriel Chen, Commons Church

  • Ernie Epp, Affirming Ministry Team Member, St. Paul's United Church, Thunder Bay

  • Desire Tiriwepi, St Paul's United Church

  • Rev. Whitney Bruno, Little Current United Church of Canada

  • Joel Calabrese, Christian

  • Myrna Malanik, St. Thomas United Church

  • Cindy Dorr, Christian

  • Alyse Pearce

  • Rhondda Gower, Gaetz Memorial United Church

  • Candace Morrison, Kamloops United Church

  • Nick Morrison, Kamloops United Church

  • Florence Ballard, Kamloops Pastoral Charge, United Church of Canada

  • Maureen Cherris, United Church

  • Heather Babin, Buddhist

  • Cheryl Kindrachuk, Carstairs Bancroft United Church

  • Kendra Walz-Parker

  • Nikki Featherstone, Pagan

  • Hilary Squires, Licensed Lay Worship Leader, Southminster United Church, Lethbridge

  • Tony Burnett, Regional Affirming Committee, Wilmot United Church, Fredericton NB

  • Maggi Montgomery, Centre for Spiritual Living

  • Megg Watkinson, Silver Spire United Church

  • St. John's United Church Council

  • Rev. Patricia McColl, United Church of Canada

  • Rev. Robert Johnson, United Church of Canada

  • Rev. Stephen Milton, Lawrence Park Community Church

  • Sheila Lavender, United Church of Canada

  • Yoonjoo Shin, St. Paul’s United Church in Tisdale

  • Caitlin Hornbeck, United Church of Canada

  • Marie Giacomuzi Roddan, None

  • Marlaine, United Church

  • Lona Grant

  • Shara Rosko

  • Steven Weisbrod

  • Emily Tetrault

  • Cathy Buchanan

  • Colleen Adair, Pride Committee, James Bay United Church

  • Mary Graham, United Church of Canada

  • Dylan Tetrault

  • Sharon Woodhouse, Member of Welcoming and Supporting Community, Scarboro United Church

  • Douglas, Lutheran

  • Anne-Louise Gould, Affirming Committee, United Church of Canada

  • Devin Hogg, Christian

  • Rev. Jennifer Janzen-Ball, Clergy, National Staff, The United Church of Canada

  • Alyson Schuller, United Church

  • Rev. Nichola Cumine, St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, Middle Sackville, NS

  • Brónagh

  • Rev. Joshua Lawrence, First-St. Andrew's United Church

  • Chris Fischer, Music Minister, First-St. Andrew's United Church, London, ON

  • Rev. Heidi Koschzeck, United Church of Canada

  • Rev. Shannon MacLean, St. Andrew’s United, Truro, NS

  • Penny Adamson, Regional Rep., United Church of Canada

  • Marilyn Bailey, United Church

  • Christina Boisvert

  • Andrea Hyde, Jesus follow, United Church connected

  • Graham Louden-Khan, St Thomas United Church

  • Jane Blannin, Woodcliff United Church Calgary

  • Dianne, Living Spirit United Church

  • Carolyn Schoepp, Living Spirit United Church

  • Rev. Whitney Bruno, Little Current United Church of Canada Pastoral Charge

  • Elizabeth McLennan, St. Laurence Anglican Church

  • Laura Crookshanks, Chair of Affirm Committee, Knox United Church, Brandon

  • Mary Finnerty

  • Pamela Knowler

  • Susan K Thomson, United Church

  • Susan Marrier, St. Paul's UCC, Thunder Bay, Ontario

  • Connie, Riverside United Church, London, ON

  • Janet A Wilson, Council Chair, Woodcliff United Church

  • Alison Jozsa, Christian

  • Brent Alexander, Vice-Chair, Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble, United Church of Canada

  • David Opare Donkor, Christian

  • Sharon Woodrow, Affirming Chair and Regional Affirming Co-Chair, Trinity United Church Cannington, ON

  • Katie McEwen, Nelson United Church

  • Mary Thomson, Eglinton St. George's United Church

  • Linda Koroluk, United Church

  • Rev. Alexa Gilmour, United Church of Canada

  • The Rev. Murray Pruden, Executive Minister, Indigenous Ministries and Justice, United Church of Canada

  • Nicole Richard

  • Stephanie Jonsson

  • Rev. Annie Jannnaway, First St. Andrew's United Church

  • Laura Maloney, Scarboro United Church

  • Rev. Marg Murray, United Church of Canada

  • Connie Zolotar, Riverside United Church, London, ON

  • Dayna Cornwall, Emmanuel United Church, Windsor, ON

  • Susan K Thomson, United Church

  • David Lewry

  • Elizabeth Macdonald, United Church of Canada

  • Kent Gregory, Anglican

  • Lynda Dickson, United Church of Canada

  • Rev. Ann Turner, Anglican Church of Canada

  • Sharon Hamer, Council Member, Deer Lake United Church, Burnaby

  • Rev. Anne Hoganson, The United Church of Canada

  • Tressa Brotsky, United Church of Canada

  • Shane Rollans, Kamloops United Church

  • Heather Robbins, Affirming Team Leader, Westworth United Church, Winnipeg, MB

  • Lorena Skerget, St. David’s United Church

  • Lisa Hovdebo, St. David's United Church

  • Dana Young, St. David's United Church

  • Charles Eastly, Scarboro United Church

  • Rev. Carrie Symondson, Hanna, The United Church of Canada

  • Joyce Taylor, Pincher Creek United Church

  • Barb Code, Crossfield United

  • Janet Page, Okotoks United Church

  • Pamela Gaudette, Hillhurst United

  • Joanna Wilson, Yellowknife United Church

  • Mike Boorman, Rimbey United Church of Canada

  • Betsy Woolner, St. David's United Church, Calgary

  • Marina Giacomin, Christian

  • Rev. John Joseph Mastandrea, Manor Road United Church

  • Michelle Irwin, Leadership Team Chair, United Church of Canada

  • Elizabeth Guthrie, Rockwood Stone Pastoral Charge

  • Elena Belyea

  • Rev. Carol-Ann Chapman, Trinity United, Gravenhurst, ON

  • Eileen Noullett, Crossroads United Church Delta, BC

  • Pam Shaw, Crossroads United Church, Delta, BC

  • Rev. Graham K. Brownmiller, Jubilee United Church, Burnaby, BC

  • Rev. Cari Copeman-Haynes, Crossroads United Church, Delta, BC

  • Amy Chapman

  • Linda McKelvie, Ponoka United Church

  • Rev. Carolynne Bouey Shank, United Church of Canada

  • Margaret McQuiston, Hillhurst United Church

  • Rev. Lee Spice, United Church of Canada

  • Rev. Robin King, Rising Spirit Ministry (Bashaw & Ponoka)

  • Jackie Walters, Red Deer Lake United Church

  • Dale Mastre, Hillhurst United Church, Calgary, AB

  • Rev. Cecile Fausak, St. Andrew's United Church, Lacombe, AB

  • Evelyn Porter, Spirit of Hope United Church, Edmonton, AB

  • Rev. Marlene Salmonson, Sherwood Park United Church, AB

  • Rev. Erin Klassen, Scarboro United Church

  • Lyn McDonald, United Church of Canada

  • Shirley Wilding, McDougall United Church, Calgary, AB

  • Rev. Mary-Beth Moriarity, Pictou United Church, NS

  • Debbie Stockdale, St. David’s United Church

  • Devynne Wonnacott, Robert McClure United Church

  • Susan Ward, Pictou United Church, NS

  • Jan Burris, Pictou United Church, NS

  • Brian Burris, Council Co-Chair, Pictou United Church, NS

  • Zoe Sanborn, United Church of Canada

  • Rev. Sandra Nixon, Trinity-Grace United, Vancouver

  • Rev. David Boyd, Nelson United Church, Nelson, BC

  • Rev. Bruce McAndless-Davis, Gilmore Park United Church, Richmond BC

  • Tori Phillips, Non Denominational

  • Shandi Bleiken

  • Patrick Girard, Église Saint-Paul

  • Brooke McMillan

  • Douglas Jameson, Trinity-Grace UC, Vancouver

  • Linda Dickson, Catholic

  • Gillian McNutt, Crossroads United Church

  • Marlene Podwysocki, High River United

  • Charlotte Petti, United Church

  • Susan Lim, Crossroads United Church

  • Elaine Mansfield, Lead Truth and Reconciliation Team, High River United Church

  • Elva Standeven, Crossroads United Church, Delta BC

  • Bill Harringtron, Crossroads United Church

  • Debra Mickelson, United Church

  • Cheryl Cannell, Trinity Grace

  • Brooke McMillan

  • Bill Harrington, United Church

  • Rev. Nobuko Iwai, Grosvenor Park United Church, SK

  • Deanne Jeffery, United Church

  • Diane Hall, Crossroads United Church, BC

  • Nicole Corrado, Catholic

  • Carlyle Beach

  • Tracey Abbott, Catholic

  • Maureen Toth

  • Judy Amsbury, East Central Ontario Regional Council Affirming Forum

  • Lyn Miller, Peterborough Affirming United Local Chapter Lead, ON

  • Katie Logan, Student Minister, United Church of Canada

  • Sam Ranger, United Church

  • Lorna Williamson, United Church of Canada

  • Dorothy de Bruijn, Grosvenor Park United Church, SK

  • Sarah Phillips-Haskins, United Church

  • Marnie Deighton, Grosvenor Park United Church, SK

  • Colleen Walker, Emmanuel Anglican Church St. Andrews College, AB

  • Angela Wigglesworth, Balzac United Church, AB

  • Ruth Cross, St. David’s United, AB

  • Lia Viet, Eden United Church

  • Claire Spiess, Sherwood Park United Church

  • Dirk Steinke, Board Chair, Dublin Street United Church

  • Andrea Eastham

  • Christopher McBain, Commons-Kensington

  • Heather Doig, Scarboro United Church

  • Hilary Bitten, Arrow Lakes Pastoral Charge

  • Nick Schiavo

  • Rev. Pegi Ridout, United Church of Canada

  • Susan K Thomson, Social Justice and Affirm Ministry Team Chair, St Paul’s United Church, Grande Prairie, AB

  • Ken DeLisle

  • James Demers

  • Rev. Charmaine Evans, Deacon, St. Stephen’s Anglican Church

  • Herman Ng, Community Connector at Campus United-Calgary

  • Edgar Ayala, Knox United Church, Calgary

  • Sumit Munjal

  • Tamsin Adriane Michael Robson (they/she), United Church of Canada

  • Rev. Michiko Brown-Kai

  • Glen Morris, United Church

  • Rev. Kim Holmes-Younger, Parkdale United Church

  • Rachel Sprung, St. Stephen’s Anglican, Calgary

  • Rev. Shelley Pick, Bermuda and Nova Scotia Region of the United Church of Canada

  • Tammy Lindahl, United Church of Canada

  • Ivy Thomas, Central Okanagan United Church, Kelowna BC

  • Brenda Fawkes, Office of Vocation, United Church of Canada

  • Heather Sparkes

  • Betty Jane Hegerat, Lutheran Church of the Cross

  • Rev. Vicki McPhee, Symons Valley United Church

  • Rev. Janet Nield, Diaconal Minister, UCC

  • Rev. Dr. Jack Nield, OM, Retired, UCC

  • Ingrid Brown, Weird Church, United Church of Canada

  • Barb Driftmier

  • Mary Stevens, McDougall United Church, Calgary

  • Gordon Stevens, McDougall United Church

  • Debra Kigar, Westdale United, Hamilton

  • The Rev. Nicole Janelle, St. Stephen’s Anglican Church

  • Lawrence Hrycan, St. Andrew's United Church, Lacombe

  • Rev. Joanne Anquist, McDougall United Church

  • David Boyd, Nelson United Church

  • Linda Hunter, The United Church of Canada

  • Dianne Fortier, Lutheran

  • Terry Kopperud, Lutheran Church of the Cross

  • Sarah Reuangrith, McDougall United Church

  • Rev. Bill Weaver, United Church of Canada

  • Keith Murray, United Church of Canada

  • William Brook, Hillhurst and Knox United Churches, Calgary

  • Anne Yates-Laberge, Hillhurst United Church

  • Nicholas Pagnucco, Hillhurst United Church

  • Amy Haynes, United Church of Canada

  • Bill, Chinook Wind Region, United Church of Canada

  • Sheri Wise, Hillhurst United Church

  • Emma Lepage, Lutheran Church of the Cross, Calgary

  • Sherri Fraser, United Church

  • Pat Jesmer-Shea, McDougall United Church, Calgary

  • Jackie Swoboda, United Church

  • Judith Shore-Isford, Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Cross

  • Peter Kelsch, Hillhurst United, Calgary

  • Barbara Lieurance, St. Andrew's United Church, Lacombe AB

  • Valerie MacLeod, McDougall United Church

  • Rick Schmidt, St. Andrew's United Church

  • Daisyrey Israel

  • Marjorie MacRae, McDougall United Church, Calgary

  • Ruth Dunsire, United Church, McDougall United Church, Calgary AB

  • Rev. Hillary Van Spronsen, Symons Valley United Church

  • Mike Gale, Ogden United

  • Greg Wooley, The United Church of Canada, Banff-Canmore

  • Jeanette Cournoyer, Trinity St. Andrew's United Church, Brighton, ON

  • Rev. Sheena Trotter-Dennis, Knox United Church

  • Rev. Ryan Andersen, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Lead Organizer - Calgary Alliance for the Common Good

  • Sharon Pedlow, Affirming Committee Member, Knox United Church, Brandon, MB

  • Alex Bradley (He/Him), Affirming Committee Member, McDougall United Church, Calgary AB

  • Evaristo Vocaj, Non-denominational

  • Christina Pitre, Nazarene (Christian)

  • Annabelle Burton, Grosvenor Park United Church, Saskatoon, SK

    Brad, Northminster United Church

  • Dr. Kristopher Wells, Canada Research Chair for the Public Understanding of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth

  • Meredith Delaloye

  • Caroline Gross

  • Nick, Spiritual

  • Colleen Lowrie, Dublin Street United Church, Youth Coordinator & Camp Director at a United Church Camp

  • Rev. Trevor Potter, McKillop United Church, Lethbridge, AB

  • Rev. Monica Rosborough, United Church of Canada

  • Rev. Michelle Slater, United Church of Canada

  • Karen Spiess, Sherwood Park United Church

  • Tiena Buckley, Pictou United

  • Rev. Kelley Warner, United Church

  • Susan MacNutt

  • Heather Campbell, Council Member, Fish Creek United Church

  • Stacey Cropper, United Church of Canada

  • Lyska Fullerton, United Church of Canada

  • Rabbi Nachshon Siritsky, Reform Judaism

  • Caleb Cossette, Commons Church Calgary

  • Donna Thorsten, Manager, Rainbow Elders Calgary

  • Shahani Kariyawasam, Commons Church Calgary

  • Lindsay Gillis, Affirm Team Leader, Shaughnessy Heights United Church

  • Melissa Exton

  • Jane Thirikwa

  • Katianna Blackmore

  • Cat Schick

  • Eden Neufeld, Christian

  • Ted & Maureen Dawson, High River United Church

  • John Williamson, Catholic

  • Jenson Brown-Wyse, Affirming Support Worker, Grace United Church, Lloydminster

  • Diana Losada

  • Emily Farrer

  • Sam Stauffer

  • Jessica Lobel

  • Eliana Baboiu

  • Erica Hamilton

  • Shari Hanson, Board Chair, Gaetz Memorial United Church, Red Deer, AB

  • Lucius A., Omnism

  • Janet Bjorndahl, Chair of Leadership Team, Eastside United Church, SK

  • Cheri Uthe, Affirm Team Member, Mayfair United Church, SK

 

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