More than books: The Ottawa Trans Library is preserving and building a culture
With challenges on 2SLBGTQ+ books on the rise in Canada and American libraries, Alice Holland is one of the volunteers at the Ottawa Trans Library, protecting trans art and building community to counter transphobia and censorship.
Fairy Cowboy Tours aims to preserve and celebrate Ottawa’s 2SLGBTQ+ history
Wearing a cowboy hat, a drawn-on moustache and glittery fairy wings, drag artist Morgan Mercury strolls around downtown Ottawa while sharing stories of 2SLGBTQ+ trailblazers who once called the city home.
Touch Grass is creating a community in Ottawa around queer ballroom dance
or Zineb Allaoui, being part of the queer ballroom scene has been instrumental in helping her find a sense of belonging in Ottawa. After immigrating to Canada from Morocco five years ago, Allaoui said finding the Kiki ballroom scene allowed her to express her queerness in a way she couldn’t back home.
Carleton’s gender support hub expects backlash after Trump’s ‘two sexes’ edict
Advocates and members of Carleton University’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community say they’re bracing for the possibility of “more abuse” and discrimination in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s proclamation that the American government will only recognize “two sexes, male and female.” Following Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, he swiftly rescinded 78 of former Democratic president Joe Biden’s executive orders and began...
‘Daddy’s Issues’ to tackle transphobia, grief at undercurrents theatre festival
Written by Merlin Simard, now based in Toronto, and directed by Montrealer Lior Maharjan, a reading of Daddy’s Issues is set to run at Ottawa Fringe’s undercurrents theatre festival Feb. 14 and 15.
Rising hate crimes targeting LGBTQ2+ community in Ottawa has many concerned
Hate crimes against the LGBTQ2+ community in Ottawa have been rising rapidly over the last six years, according to data from the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) putting many in the community on edge.
Breaking new ground: The Lookout Bar crowns it’s first king as Ottawa’s Next Drag Superstar
The Lookout Bar, Ottawa’s 2SLGBTQIA+ bar and nightclub, has crowned BJ Stroker as the winner of Ottawa’s Next Drag Superstar: All Stars, making him the first drag king to win the eight-week long competition. BJ, along with other drag artists in Ottawa, calls it a big win for drag kings because they are often overlooked and underrepresented in the community....
Pride Week opens in controversy over organizer’s pro-Palestine statement
Ottawa’s annual weeklong Pride festival begins this weekend in the middle of a controversy following a statement by organizing group, Capital Pride, expressing solidarity with Palestine. The move prompted the Jewish Federation of Ottawa to withdraw its support for the event and Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe to refuse to participate in events during Pride Week run by Capital Pride itself....
Ottawa celebrates 11th International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
Local and national leaders commemorated International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on Friday.
Queer community hosts ‘proudly Jewish’ Purim variety show at Arts Court
More than 50 members of city’s queer Jewish community gathered in downtown Ottawa to celebrate story of survival and resilience
Inclusive events woven into Winterlude show Ottawa is ‘celebrating Pride 365’
Winter Pride offers inclusion and community during the annual Winterlude festivities.
Protesters rally for trans youth as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith visits Ottawa
Hundreds packed Parliament Hill on Monday to protest the arrival of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in town, after she announced proposed restrictions on transgender youth. Smith was in Ottawa to mark the opening of a provincial office in the city that will be used to make Alberta’s case to the federal government and to participate in at an event near...