On October 24th, the people of British Columbia will head to the voting booth and cast their ballots in the BC provincial election. The choices they make will shape the future of 2SLGBTQIA+ rights. 

The BC Conservatives have an anti-queer agenda. They want to strip protection and support away from transgender students and refuse to remove candidates who oppose the freedom, dignity and equality of 2SLGBTQIA+ people. 2SLGBTQIA+ rights are at stake this election.

We've seen this before: In Saskatchewan and Alberta, anti-trans governments have introduced legislation that restricts the freedom and rights of vulnerable young people. They use misleading slogans and bad-faith arguments to do it. In both provinces, when the courts sought to pause the implementation of potentially harmful policies, the governments responded by invoking the notwithstanding clause to suspend the Charter-protected rights of literal children. 

If the BC Conservatives form government, there is little doubt they'll do the same - and young people will pay the price. 

We know this election feels rough. We know it's come out of nowhere, and you probably have all kinds of feelings about it. We get it. We hear you - and, we need you to show up anyways. We can't sit this one out. Too much is at stake. 

We aren't telling you who to support. We're telling you to get involved because the stakes are too high to tap out. 

Our call to action is simple: show up for candidates you believe in. Knock on doors for them. Donate to their campaigns. Help them cross the finish line - because the alternative is intolerable. 

The truth is, what's at stake here extends well beyond BC. It's not fair, but it's the truth.

If the anti-trans agenda takes root in BC, it changes the conversation across Canada. People out east write off Alberta and Saskatchewan (which, to be clear, we have big feelings about). But BC? Canadians think of BC as a progressive bastion. If BC implements anti-trans policies, those policies will gain greater traction across the country.  

This isn't a single issue election, but the risk for 2SLGBTQIA+ people is astronomical. We aren't asking you to set aside your greivances with progressive parties. We are asking you to help make sure BC remains a safe provinces for trans and queer people. 

How can you do that? 

• Make a plan to vote: You can use QMUNITY's guide on how, when and where to vote to make your plan.
• Knock on doors for candidates you believe in: You can find a list of all candidates here. 
• Tell your friends and family what's at stake: One on one conversations are how we change hearts and minds. Use our conversation guide to help your neighbours understand the harm caused when politicians strip rights away from vulnerable kids.