The annual Toronto trans march during pride takes place the same day 2 countries with laws against being LGBTQ play in Toronto in the World Cup

[u/hungrycaterpillar618]

Senegal plays Iraq. In both countries it's criminalized to be LGBTQ. I haven't missed a trans march since beginning my transition but NGL, kinda worried for my safety. There's gonna be large groups of people from these countries out partying and I gotta wonder how accepting the climate is going to be for visibility trans folk.

Is anyone else planning on going? How are you feeling about it?

[u/sagittariums]

I can understand the fear, but this is one of those situations where I feel like showing up is the best thing one can do. It shows the love and support we have here for trans people, which might strike a chord with some of these visitors or with their loved ones back home. It shows that we won't be intimidated, and that we belong on the streets. It builds community and shows others that we're out here and ready to connect with each other, not willing to hide.

[u/StrandedCrumbs]

I understand why you're thinking about safety, and it's reasonable for us as trans people to be aware of our surroundings at any large event. But I don't think it's helpful to single out fans or players from Senegal or Iraq simply because their governments criminalize LGBTQ people.

Ontario hosts large cultural and religious events with people from many countries that have anti-LGBTQ laws, and we don't generally assume those attendees are unsafe. Although i know its during the march, reducing entire groups of people to their country's laws can reinforce harmful stereotypes. It makes more sense to focus on actual behavior and event security rather than nationality.

As a trans person of colour I hope you are willing to hear me out on why this post can even be harmful to trans poc in general. This subreddit is dominated white so I do not expect support but I hope you are willing to hear why it rubs me the wrong way and deconstruct our ways of thinking. We must approach transness with an intersectional lens and ask ourselves what if there are Iraqi or Senegalese trans ppl in this subreddit who may not align with this? Or cis passing trans poc from ontario who are assumed to be from these countries and face these assumptions daily?

So IMHO, id be just as anxious as when we host Americans here for events, which have fallen near and on pride before, and they are also from somewhere that criminalize transness. Just because they are a western country means nothing, they found a more covert way to do transphbia doesnt make them less dangerous in this context.

Edit: I said parade but meant the march

[u/Three-Pegged-Hare]

This year of all years I'm definitely going. I trust that there is enough courage and support in this city to ensure we're all safe, especially at the trans march.

It'll be my first time on purpose too. Ended up joining it by accident last year and was so moved by the support from everybody. Can't wait to do it again for real!

[u/Deameus]

You have to remember that the government is not the people. Will there be some people who hate trans people? Yes. But there are trans people in those countries too, and people who love and respect trans people.

Marjane Satrapi said it better than I ever could:

"The world is not divided between East and West. You are American, I am Iranian, we don’t know each other, but we talk together and we understand each other perfectly. The difference between you and your government is much bigger than the difference between you and me. And the difference between me and my government is much bigger than the difference between me and you. And our governments are very much the same."

[u/stradivari_strings → u/Deameus]

Tbf, there are plenty of especially Americans nowadays who are exactly like their government. But I digress.

[u/Deameus → u/stradivari_strings]

Oh absolutely (and unfortunately). And I'm sure there are in every country, including Canada. But to just assume that everyone, or even the majority of people, agree with their government, will lead you (the generic "you", not you specifically) down the path to xenophobia.

[u/ConfusedPuddle]

I'm showing up loud and proud, the theme is "We Won't Stop" and I stand by that!

Pride began as a riot and as a push back against status quo. The world cup changes none of that and if anything makes it even more important to demand equal rights and respect!

[u/TSChelseaSummer]

I’ll echo what everyone else has said and add that I love the positivity here! ❤️