Urgent request to Affirming people and faith leaders
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
Read more about this issue:
Wave of Far-Right Protests Against Family-Friendly Drag Queen Events Isn’t Slowing in Canada (Press Progress)
What’s with the rise in hate groups outside drag shows? (The Georgia Straight)
Police say charges laid in hate-motivated crime after drag storytime disturbance (CBC)
Right-Wing Groups Have Created Drag “Alert Systems” to Monitor Performances (them.us)
As anti-drag protests rage, counter-protest is a key part of queer activism (Xtra)
Support for trans community floods in ahead of Saskatoon city council discussion (Global News)
Drag is not dangerous: How exposing your kids to drag performance can be a good thing (Salon)
Police-reported hate crimes show large increase (Globe and Mail)
Far-right attacks on LGBTQ2S+ community rising in Canada: Canadian Anti-Hate Network (Global News)
How the American anti-LGBTQ hate machine is posing a threat to Canadians (CBC)
Anti-Trans Activists are disrupting School Boards across Canada (Canadian Anti-Hate Network)
Analysis: Political rhetoric, false claims obscure the history of drag performance (PBS News)
Pride and Protest Resources:
Pride Defense Guide: Pride defense is the act of going to any Pride event to protect the 2SLGBTQ+community from far-right activists who show up. (Canadian Anti-Hate Network)
Plain Text Accessible Version of the Full Guide
My Pride Won’t Unravel: Equip yourself with information and resources that help keep you, your communities, and events safe. Specific tools for Organizers (PDF) and Attendees (PDF). (Egale Canada)
Interactive Map of Pride Events - find your local events and support them! (Egale Canada)