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The role of adults in the lives of 2SLGBTQI+ youth

In their testimonial, Alex, who is neurodivergent, talks about the important role their English teacher played at school by always encouraging and supporting them. Studies show that it is especially crucial to the development and well-being of 2SLGBTQI+ youth to have adult mentors or role models in their life. 

• A mentor will be able to guide, encourage and support a young person through any difficulties they may encounter. The relationship of trust that develops with the young person can last over time. 
• A role model, on the other hand, is more like an example to follow or imitate. That person doesn’t necessarily have a direct relationship with the young person; for example, they could be a singer, a hockey player or an influencer. 

Since young people tend to copy behaviours they see rather than listen to what they hear, it is especially important they have mentors and role models in their lives. What’s more, the presence of adult mentors in the lives of queer youth is a protective factor that can help them develop resilience.

Channeling emotions and experiences through art

In their video, Niivi says that art is an excellent form of communication for them. Whether through music, dance, visual arts or theatre, artistic creation can be a great way to communicate and channel emotions. Art lets us stay connected to ourselves, and to experience, understand and accept our emotions. Experiencing our emotions through art is a way to let them out without hiding or ignoring them. 

Art can help us to understand and come to terms with our emotions by expressing them visually, through a medium. Brushstrokes become a reflection of fear, joy and anger. Dance moves become a representation of sadness, disgust or surprise. An emotionally charged poem becomes a driver for change against fear and anger. 

Putting our emotions down on paper or expressing them physically is a means of self-expression that promotes self-awareness and encourages each person to come to grips with their own resistance.

The importance of racialized 2SLGBTQI+ communities 

In their testimonial, Timothée mentions the double discrimination that racialized and/or immigrant 2SLGBTQI+ people can experience: being the target of racism in 2SLGBTQI+ communities and experiencing homophobia or transphobia in cultural communities. In particular, 2SLGBTQI+ immigrants may fear that people in their home country will find out about their sexual orientation and/or gender identity from members of their cultural community, leading to serious consequences for their safety and well-being. As Timothée mentions, there is a strong sense of community within groups of racialized and/or immigrant 2SLGBTQI+ people. For the latter, this can be very important, in the sense that they don’t have to explain themselves, they experience less discrimination, and they benefit from a safer space inhabited by people with similar experiences and backgrounds.

Groups/organizations of racialized and/or immigrant 2SLGBTQI+ people are both community-minded and safe spaces, but they can also become “chosen families.” Creating spaces where discrimination, oppression and inequality are less likely to happen, and where it’s easier to be oneself, is often essential, even necessary.

Family pressure to be cis-hetero

In their testimonial, Félix mentions the pressure from his family to be cis-hetero, especially as the firstborn son, who is expected to form a heterosexual relationship, get married, and have biological children. 

Félix points out that this pressure is worse than that experienced in white North American families, or, at least, not comparable. However, this does not negate the fact that being a white 2SLGBTQI+ person can still be difficult and create tension and conflict within a family. 

The family pressure can be explained by the greater importance attached to cultural and/or religious norms and precepts, promoted and reinforced by the diaspora. For Félix, this unfolds as filial piety: Parents in his Chinese community command tremendous respect, and children are expected to serve and respect their parents and “give them a male heir".

Félix also believes that patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to envisioning a better world. This is reminiscent of the famous expression “It gets better,” which is sometimes used to reassure young 2SLGBTQI+ people. This expression implies that problems are temporary, that there is a life beyond high school, and that young people will eventually find their tribe. Patience is a part of life for teens; Félix reminds us to be optimistic about the future, even if today’s problems are very real.

Reclaiming and reappropriating the words “queer” and “dyke”

In their testimonials, Ken and Ritzz talk about reclaiming, or taking back, certain words that are considered offensive. Why reclaim certain words? Because calling out the oppression, in no uncertain terms, by self-identifying with the very same word used by the oppressor can be highly restorative. This reclaiming lets us control the narrative around certain words—such as “queer” and “dyke,” which have a derogatory connotation—and to gain power over them. To slowly strip them of their hurtful, insulting and discriminatory nature. This reclaiming can also cause discomfort among the general public by preserving the subversive nature of the words, since using the words “queer” or “dyke” allows us to challenge social constructs, societal expectations and the relationship to so-called normative sexual development and behaviour. 

Taking back words that are considered derogatory is rooted in a process of self-determination and agency over one’s identity. In other words, each person can choose the words that suit them best, that represent them best. Some words will have greater political implications, some will be more discreet, some will be more accurate and others broader. In the end, each person can choose the word or words that make them feel good.

Fixing the need to make straight jokes and “fake woke” jokes 

Ken and Ritzz use humour in their testimonial to point out contradictions or ridicule certain situations.

Ken and Ritzz use this technique of “turning the tables” on straight people: Pointing out that straight people are valid is a way of reframing what many 2SLGBTQI+ people are told, or will be told, their entire lives, namely “your existence is valid, but don’t make a big deal about it.” The statement “I think everyone is queer” is ridiculing heteronormativity, which implies that everyone is straight until proven otherwise, and that heterosexuality is superior to other sexual orientations.

In the same way, Ken and Ritzz make fun of people who are sensitive to certain issues while ignoring others. And for Ken and Ritzz, “fake wokes” are people who take 2SLGBTQI+ concerns to heart, but don’t stop to think that some queer people are also disabled. It’s a way of channeling their frustrations about the lack of inclusion in certain/many queer spaces or events.

The impact of colonialism and capitalism

In his testimonial, Tobi says that anti-queer sentiment has its roots in colonialism. He refers to the rejection of 2SLGBTQI+ identities during the first wave of colonization, from the 15th to the 17th century, when the ideologies imposed by the colonizing countries erased, rendered invisible and even criminalized the existence of 2SLGBTQI+ people. One example is two-spirit people, who were violently erased and repressed by Canada’s residential school system, among others.

Briefly, colonialism can be defined as a system of oppression in which one people, nation or country is subjugated by another. Colonialism is not an ideology strictly relegated to the past; it continues to do damage, even today. Colonialism is more than an invasion of one country by another; it can take the form, for example, of an economic stranglehold by one country over another.

Decolonization, on the other hand, is a process that leads to the sovereignty, liberation and independence of the colonized people and/or nation. It is therefore a form of emancipation.

Capitalism is a socioeconomic system based on the quest for profit, productivity and the accumulation of personal wealth, to the detriment of collective needs. Capitalism distances us from community, from the group, isolating us and accentuating social inequalities (social class, “race,” gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, immigrant status, etc.). It is therefore important for queer people to criticize capitalism, since this system contributes to oppression.

Original idea
Estelle Cazelais

Coordination
Mariane Gilbert

Production
Bruno Mercure

Creative direction
Vincent Ethier

Interview coordination
Mylène de Repentigny-Corbeil

Research and content
Mariane Gilbert

Video editing support
Kenza Zirat

Graphic design
Cynthia Naggar

Subtitles
Isabel Thériault

Translation
Mathilde Bourgeon

Sound mix
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