All women in Canada have the right to live their life in safety and dignity.  Attacks on the rights of trans women are a threat to the rights of all women, girls and gender diverse people. 

YWCA Canada and our 29 member associations are united in solidarity with trans women and trans communities.  

As a movement with the mission to advance gender equity, YWCA Canada is deeply alarmed by recent political rhetoric that denies trans women their fundamental human rights, including their rights to exist in public space and fully participate in their communities. As an organization representing members who provide frontline service in nine provinces and two territories, we know all too well that trans women are disproportionately impacted by gender-based violence, poverty and housing insecurity.  

We firmly denounce the recent surge in hate and discrimination targeting trans women and young people who are transgender, non-binary or gender diverse.  

Trans women are women. We stand in solidarity with them and work to fight anti-trans hate, discrimination and gender-based violence. We are proud to serve trans women, to welcome them as leaders in our organizations and participants in our programs. We recognize and celebrate the many contributions that trans women – in all their diversity – have made to the feminist and gender justice movement in Canada, including through their participation in the YWCA movement.  

Our work to achieve our vision of empowered women and girls in a safe and equitable society is only possible when trans women, like all women, are supported, uplifted and celebrated.  

We are committed to engaging in each of our communities across the country to continue to learn how to best support and amplify voices of those who are being impacted by harmful anti-trans actions and rhetoric. 

YWCA Canada remains steadfast in our conviction that there is no gender equity without trans women. We call on politicians and policymakers to join us in taking action to protect the rights and dignity of trans women:  

• We urge the leaders of all federal parties to affirm the rights and equity of trans women and all 2SLGBTQIA+ people.  
• We urge the federal government to strengthen the rights of trans people and dedicate resources to fighting anti-trans hate.