How to Vote With 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians in Mind This Election

I’ve been voting for 27 years. In the beginning, I didn’t do much research—I just voted for what I grew up knowing. The party my family supported. The names I recognised. The slogans that felt familiar.

But that changed as I started paying closer attention to the world around me. I began to follow politics, not just during election season but between the headlines. I started watching what politicians actually did—not just what they said they’d do. These days, I vote not only with my own needs in mind, but with the needs of my neighbours, too. My neighbours include queer and trans folks. They include people experiencing homelessness. They include folks whose lives are shaped by systems that rarely make room for them. My vote is one way I show up.

As election day approaches, many of us find ourselves reflecting not just on what affects us directly, but on how our choices impact those we care about—our queer friends, family, neighbours, and community members. Casting an informed, thoughtful vote is one of the most meaningful ways we can stand in solidarity and work toward a Canada where everyone is protected, included, and seen.

Understand the Policies, Not Just the Promises

It’s easy to get caught up in campaign speeches and slick slogans—but real allyship means digging deeper. What’s each party’s track record on 2SLGBTQIA+ rights? Look into their platforms on healthcare, education, housing, workplace protections, and human rights. Ask: how do these policies impact queer Canadians specifically? Words are easy. Follow-through is everything.

Know the Issues Queer Canadians Are Facing

To vote with queer Canadians in mind, we need to understand what’s at stake. Here are just a few current issues:

• Mental Health Disparities: 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in Canada face significantly higher rates of depression and suicidal ideation than their heterosexual peers.
• Rising Hate Crimes: Reported hate crimes against queer and trans people have increased in recent years, particularly in urban centres.
• Barriers to Healthcare: Trans Canadians still face long wait times, limited access to gender-affirming care, and gaps in public coverage.
• Harmful Education Policies: Provinces like Saskatchewan and Alberta have introduced rules requiring parental consent for students under 16 to change pronouns—policies that put trans youth at risk.
• Family Reunification Delays: Queer couples, especially in Quebec, face bureaucratic delays in immigration processes, further complicating efforts to build safe and stable lives.
• Declining Public Support: Surveys show a worrying dip in support for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, signalling a need for renewed advocacy and strong political leadership.

These aren’t hypothetical issues. They’re everyday realities for people across the country.

Consider the Bigger Picture

Queer Canadians don’t live single-issue lives. Their experiences are shaped by intersections—race, class, disability, immigration status, and more. A vote that considers these layers of identity helps create a stronger, more compassionate Canada for everyone.

Support Queer Representation in Leadership

Having more 2SLGBTQIA+ voices in Parliament matters. It ensures that queer people are not just talked about, but are actively shaping the conversations and policies that affect their lives. While you don’t need to agree with every queer candidate on every issue, representation is powerful—and necessary.

Bring the Conversation Home

Talk to your queer friends and family before you vote. Ask what they care about, what they fear, and what would make their lives safer, happier, and more secure. Let your ballot be guided not just by facts, but by empathy.

Vote With Confidence

Voting is one of the most powerful tools we have. It’s a way to say: “I see you. I stand with you. I want a future where you’re safe, celebrated, and free.” When we vote with queer Canadians in mind, we help build that future—one ballot at a time.