United Way Perth Huron's Social Research and Planning Council has released the findings of a report on the experiences of 2SLGBTQ+ residents in the area.
Kristin Crane, UWPH Director of Community Impact and Research, says the report was put together using data from online surveys, interviews and a participatory workshop. She says the report found that many local members of the 2SLGBTQ+ expressed the need for greater inclusion and safety in their communities. She says she hopes the report's findings make people consider how it must feel to not feel part of a community for some.
"If it's not their daily reality or the reality of someone that's close to them, it's not considered or thought about. So, this is the opportunity to say 'Now we know, so what can we do about this?'" Krane said.
Krane says many people in the 2SLGBTQ+ that participated in putting the report together expressed the urgent need for more inclusive services and spaces. She points out many local groups are trying to provide just that.
"For instance, Stratford Perth Pride is taking a regional approach to some of their initiatives and their going to be offering workshops and training to workplaces all across the region so people can find out more about the 2SLGBTQ+ community," she added.
The report calls for better education about the barriers 2SLGBTQ+ residents face, stronger organizational commitments, safer community spaces and policy changes prohibiting hate-based discrimination. Krane adds that she hopes the report gives people pause to consider what can be done to make everyone feel welcome in the region. Many participants that contributed to the report are directly quoted in it, sharing instances of feeling unsafe, especially around Pride Month, where many vandalism incidents occur.
Moving forward, Krane says many people expressed a desire to have welcoming gestures go beyond just Pride Month. She says even simple things like signage that shares messages like "Everyone Welcome" can be a powerful affirmation for those that may not feel included in their communities.
"It can be kind of isolating in a rural community, where populations are small and some populations are even smaller. So it's important to see those things and it's a signal to say 'You belong' or 'You're welcome here,'" she noted.
The report is called Discrimination and Community Integration Experienced by 2SLGBTQ+ in Perth and Huron Counties, and was developed in partnership with University of Guelph’s School of Environmental Design and Rural Development and the Community Engaged Scholarship Institute.
To read the full report, visit perthhuron.unitedway.ca.
