What’s Next in the Fight Against Conversion Practices in Canada?
Thursday, June 19, 2025 - 9am PT / 10am MT / 12pm ET
Canada’s 2022 criminalization of conversion “therapy” through Bill C-4 was a landmark achievement in protecting 2S/LGBTQIA+ communities. However, despite the legal ban, conversion practices persist across the country. Survivors continue to face barriers in accessing justice, and communities remain vulnerable to harmful anti-2S/LGBTQIA+ rhetoric and practices. How effective was the law? What is next?
Join us to discuss the subject of conversion practices in Canada, post-criminalization, featuring perspectives from legal experts, survivors, advocates, and researchers, including Affirming Connections’ very own Director/Founder, Pam Rocker.
Community Safety Training
Recording available
This practical and relevant workshop (recorded from the live event on June 3, 2025) teaches ways to protect yourself and marginalized communities at protests and events, through effective de-escalation and creative nonviolence. Enhance your safety and self-defense toolbelt.
Led by experienced Community Protection Facilitator, and Head of Security at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Aidan McKendrick!
2025 Citywide Pride Interfaith Service
Join us at the 7th Annual Citywide Pride Interfaith Service! Presented by Affirming Connections and Calgary’s Network of Affirming Faith Communities.
When: Sunday, August 24, 7pm
Where: Livestreamed and in person at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 10620 Elbow Dr SW, Calgary, AB
What: This event celebrates the beautiful intersection of faith and 2SLGBTQIA+ identities, affirming and celebrating that you can be all parts of who you are.
Our 2025 theme is Stitched Together: A Patchwork of Pride. This celebrates our individual and collective beauty, and the wonderful things that happen when we bring all of our own unique threads (or selves) together. Stories and music will be woven throughout the service, as we evoke a tactile, artistic image of Pride stitched together and only possible through community participation.
Speak up for trans youth!
The majority of Canadians agree that ALL people deserve access to healthcare, education, safety, and respect, including trans youth. Freedom is an illusion unless it also means freedom for everyone, and freedom from discrimination.
Let's grab the megaphone, spread love, and show that the Canada we envision is a place where everyone is welcome to be who they are, without fear.
Click here to download MY CANADA and MY ALBERTA images and sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of our website to stay in touch!
For a list of topical resources on the latest 2SLGBTQ+ issues in Canada, click here!
Queer Interfaith Coalition
The Queer Interfaith Coalition (QIC) and its Affirming allies are reclaiming the religious voice from those who have sought to weaponize faith. We believe that all 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals are created in the Divine Image and that advocacy for their human rights is not antithetical to faith, but a central tenet of our religious faiths.
To learn more and sign onto our open letter, visit our page here.
Join our United Against Hate campaign!
Affirming Connections stands in support of drag performers, trans, gender diverse, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities across Canada.
We have seen an apparent rise in malicious misinformation, conspiracy theories, threats, and violence that target drag performers, and the queer and trans communities. In 2023 alone, hate crimes against the queer community rose by 69%, and this number continues to increase.
Add your name to this letter with 400+ others show your public support for 2SLGBTQ+ people who have been facing the brunt of this targeted discrimination. Your voice on this issue truly matters.
Drag FAQ’s Answered
Affirming Connections started the United Against Hate campaign to address the surge in misinformation, disinformation, and violence targeting drag performers and trans people. We compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions we encounter, then asked experts from a variety of fields—including affirming faith leaders, drag performers, educators, academics and researchers—to answer them.