How can we ensure queer and trans folks feel safe and supported through municipal actions and initiatives?

First and foremost, municipalities must be able to name how hate towards queer and trans people shows up today. There is an active hate campaign in our community. It has targeted the school board and libraries. It has been exploiting the current lack of leadership, to leverage public infrastructure like the Centre in the Square, school board meetings, and universities to further hate. 

Unfortunately, there are multiple elected officials who have been affiliated with this hate and have used their platform to harm queer and trans people. There needs to be a stronger code of conduct and consequences for elected officials who are promoting hate. There also needs to be explicit policies against queer and trans hate at public institutions in order to prevent people with a documented record of hate from performing.

The municipalities need to fund an independent police free hate monitor. Unfortunately, the police were caught last year spreading misinformation about queer unsafety and caused further harm. An independent body would have been able to verify if there was even a threat in the first place. This office should have enough funding to respond to the ongoing anti-Black and anti-Indigenous hate and to the recent spike in anti-newcomer hate and anti-homeless hate.

Safety is a broader concept than just hate. For example, ample affordable housing allows queer and trans people to easily access options that are safer than unaccepting family. I have a policy proposal to have community-controlled first responders in libraries, community centres, and recreation facilities so it is easier for people experiencing harm to report it and access crisis services without having to go to a police station

Thank you for reaching out. I am personally responding this email to ensure that I can demonstrate my commitment to inclusion and safety for all our residents including our trans and queer residents, in details:

Every resident of Kitchener deserves to feel safe, respected and able to participate fully in the life of our city, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, disability, background or income. For queer and trans residents, that means ensuring inclusion is reflected not only in words, but in how the City designs its services, public spaces, programs and policies.

As Mayor, I would support practical municipal action in several areas: strengthening our response to hate and identity-based harassment; ensuring City facilities, recreation programs and public spaces are welcoming and accessible; providing appropriate training for City staff; and continuing to review municipal policies and services through an equity and inclusion lens.

I also believe strongly in listening to people who are directly affected. The City should maintain meaningful relationships with organizations such as SPECTRUM and with queer and trans residents themselves, including youth, seniors, newcomers and people experiencing homelessness, so that municipal decisions reflect their experiences and needs.

At the same time, my approach to leadership is grounded in a simple principle: Kitchener belongs to all of us. Protecting the dignity and safety of one community does not diminish another. We can respect the diversity of cultures, faiths, identities and perspectives in our city while being clear that discrimination, harassment and hate have no place here.

My vision is a Kitchener where no one has to wonder whether they belong. Our municipal government should help make that belonging visible in our services, our public spaces and the way we treat one another.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

Combating hate and protecting public safety are priorities in my platform https://www.votefornair.ca/post/safe-communities-and-stronger-action-against-hate-crimes

I have also raised my concerns on social media & during my election campaign about the need to take hate, intimidation and discrimination seriously and to move beyond statements of concern toward meaningful action.

My question is simple: Do people feel safer today than they did before? And if not, shouldn't we be willing to course-correct? I believe queer and trans residents, like every resident of Kitchener, should be able to live, work and participate in our community without fear of harassment, intimidation or violence. That requires more than symbolic statements.

We need clear priorities, measurable outcomes and accountability.

The City should work with 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations, community groups, Waterloo Regional Police Service and other partners to better understand hate incidents, improve reporting, strengthen prevention and ensure our public spaces are welcoming and safe. I would also support meaningful community engagement so that municipal leadership hears directly from people who experience discrimination or hate.

I don't believe leadership means defending the status quo simply because it is the status quo. If an approach is not producing the results our community deserves, we need the courage to change it.

My campaign has consistently asked Kitchener residents to look at the results of the past several years and ask whether we need a different approach. Hate should never become normalized. Safety should never be taken for granted and leadership should be judged by results, not just words.

For me, leadership is not about claiming that everything is already working. It is about having the courage to ask difficult questions, acknowledge shortcomings and pursue better results. I believe supporting a community means more than attending events, taking photographs and offering words of support.

Many politicians are very visible at community events, and that engagement is important but when hate, intimidation or discrimination occurs, the real test of leadership is what happens after the speeches and photo opportunities are over. My platform makes combating hate and improving public safety a priority.

I believe everyone in Kitchener deserves to feel safe, respected, and welcome. As mayor, I would work directly with our 2SLGBTQIA+ community to understand your concerns and ensure City services and public spaces are accessible and welcoming to all.

I also believe we can have thoughtful conversations about privacy, safety, and the design of public facilities to find practical solutions that respect everyone’s dignity. My goal is to listen, bring people together, and make decisions that help our entire community feel safe and included.

Specifically, I will focus on practical municipal actions that put these principles into practice: ensuring City services and facilities are welcoming and accessible, supporting safe community spaces and programs, actively addressing discrimination, and ensuring our public spaces are safe for everyone.

Most importantly, I want Kitchener to be a city where no one has to wonder whether they belong. Public safety and equal treatment must never depend on who you are, who you love, or how you identify.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

Your question is wonderful and very thoughtful.
I believe every person deserves to feel safe, respected, supported and free to be who they are. As a social psychologist, my work has focused on well-being, life satisfaction and self-determination—and I believe deeply that people thrive when they are accepted, included and treated with dignity. Love is love, and every human being matters.

My support for the queer and trans community is also deeply personal, and I stand firmly with them.

As Mayor, I would work to embed meaningful anti-discrimination practices and diversity training throughout municipal services—including housing, transportation, libraries, community centres and policing. I would support gender-neutral washrooms, safe and inclusive businesses and community spaces, and events that bring people from different communities together.

I know these are not always easy changes. But I have never believed that “the way we’ve always done it” is a reason not to tackle a difficult challenge.

Everyone deserves to live openly, safely and with dignity. That is the Kitchener I believe in—and the Kitchener I want to help build.

As one of the founders of FightBackKW, who is the group from which Queer Youth Defense was born, I have been working with members of the community for many years now. On council, I would continue to fight with the same determination I have during our protests and counter-protests, but really, all one can do from the inside is to speak up and vote properly. The real accomplishments are done on the outside, and I can promise that if there is a council meeting conflicting with a counter-protest against the Million Parents group or whatever they call themselves, I will be there with you all rather than sitting in a meeting. My commitment is to go where I am needed most.

Thank you for reaching out and for the work Spectrum does in our community.
I support equal rights, safety and dignity for 2SLGBTQIA+ residents. Everyone should be able to access Regional services, find housing and participate in community life without discrimination.
As a Regional Councillor, I will support inclusive service policies, practical staff training and efforts to remove barriers to housing and community supports.
I believe in being proactive. That means listening to Spectrum and people with lived experience, involving them early in decisions that affect them and following through on concerns raised.
I will speak out against discrimination and harassment, and support community partnerships that help residents feel safe, respected and connected. I also believe Council should review whether our policies and investments are making a meaningful difference in people’s everyday lives.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

My commitment to equity is not a campaign promise, it is work I have been doing before, during and beyond my time on Regional Council.
As a Regional Councillor, I have supported community-led approaches to equity, including investments through the Community Capacity Building and Upstream funds, which put resources and decision-making closer to communities. I will continue to support funding, policies and services that remove barriers and ensure 2SLGBTQIA+ residents are seen heard and respected members of the community.
I will also continue to stand firmly against hate and discrimination. With Bill C-9 now law, strengthening Canada's response to hate and hate-motivated conduct, local governments have an important complementary role in creating safe public spaces and services where everyone can participate without fear.
My commitment is also grounded in my work outside Council. Through Divonify, I have spent years helping organizations move from equity awareness to practice, addressing workplace culture, psychological safety, power and systemic barriers.
As someone who represents an underrepresented community, I know that representation matters, but representation is only the beginning. What matters even more is what we do when we have a seat at the table. We have a responsibility to use that access to ask difficult questions, challenge barriers, bring others into the conversation and act.
That is the leadership I have brought to Regional Council, and it is the leadership I will continue to bring forward: moving beyond statements of inclusion to investment, accountability and action so that every resident has a genuine voice and a seat at the decision-making table.

I firmly stand with our LGBTQ2S+ community, I support the human rights and safety of LGBTQ2S+ residents, and human rights are non-negotiable. Keeping our residents safe from discrimination and violence is a basic human rights duty. As a Regional Councillor for Kitchener, I will turn this commitment into action with these 5 goals:

1. Create a Regional 2SLGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee: I will push for a permanent, paid panel of community members to review regional budgets, housing plans, and public services so they fully support queer and trans residents.

2. Establish Better Safety Frameworks: Everyone has the right to feel safe in public. While basic communication exists, grassroots groups frequently call for explicit, regional safety infrastructure funds to hire private, non-police security for events. I will champion targeted funding to protect local events from harassment and hate.

3. Expand Transitional and Affordable Housing: Safe housing is a human right. I will work to secure dedicated spaces and funding within the Region's housing plans to build stable, safe housing for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and seniors facing homelessness.

4. Advocate for a Gender-Inclusive Infrastructure Policy: Public spaces must respect everyone's dignity. I will support a region-wide design rule that requires all-gender washrooms, and clear inclusive signs in all newly built or renovated regional buildings, transit hubs, and offices.

5. Launch Safe Transit Campaigns: Everyone deserves to travel without fear. I will work with Grand River Transit to run clear public awareness campaigns on buses and the ION light rail to enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy for transphobic, biphobic, and homophobic harassment.

Any support to the LGBTQ2S+ community is a life-saving gesture that directly impacts the mental health and safety of LGBTQ2S+ residents. This is not a social or political statement, but rather a fundamental effort to protect the human rights of everyone. Celebrating and supporting a marginalized group does not diminish the rights of anyone else, instead it fosters a more inclusive, welcoming, and safe community for all residents. I commit to being a councillor that listens, advocates for, and works with our LGBTQ2S+ community. 

I understand the importance of representation around the Council table and will bring my personal perspective to all decisions. My partner Eric and I call Downtown Kitchener home and value Spectrum’s work in supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
As Regional Councillor, there are a few tangible ways that the Region can support inclusion and equity. In the face of recent local threats against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, I engaged with partners to start building back trust and strong lines of communication between community partners, upstream services, and public safety partners. There is more work to be done in this regard and I commit to continuing these important conversations. I also support ongoing investments in upstream funding that directly support organizations and agencies who support queer people, racialized individuals, and marginalized residents. Lastly, there is an opportunity for through ongoing discussions around Regional arts funding to include an explicit lens in its process to ensure that 2SLGBTQIA+ artists are supported.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

I've mostly been able to enjoy and admire Spectrum's work from a distance, and I'm vaguely aware that there's a lot of great work going on whether that's multi-sport drop-in programs, programs for newcomers, social programs, legal support, advocacy and activism (I think this has been the most common way I have met people who, as I get to know them better, then inform me that they have worked or currently work with Spectrum), and partnering with organizations around the Region to consult, educate, and advise on making spaces more inclusive. A concern, and one shared by numerous charitable organizations, is that a lot of this is being done with a very limited budget and people doing a lot of extra labour.

The primary reason for my running in this election is to advance the core value stated on the Region's website: "care for people and the land we share". It is likewise this value which I hope to promote throughout the Region and with its various partners. I have been made aware, for example, that supports for homelessness are often not specific enough to meet the needs of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and that 2SLGBTQ+ youth are facing disproportionate challenges when it comes to homelessness. With this in mind, I would like to find more opportunities for homelessness prevention, but I recognize that there is already a pressing (and growing need), so I would certainly be advocating for resource allocation in that regard.

More generally, and perhaps I may be drawing some inadvertent controversy in stepping out of jurisdiction, I have been rather concerned by efforts at the local public and Catholic school boards, both from trustees and members of the public (some of whom are currently running for trustee positions), to repress or censor 2SLGBTQ+ representation in schools, especially in the form of library materials. As a former elementary school library staff person myself, I am appalled by these motions, and see them as direct opposition to the Region's core value of "care for people and the land we share" (let alone a violation of library ethics and values or my own morals and values). I worry, however, that troubling conversations are likely to continue to occur in these spaces in the coming years. It is my intention that, in leading by example at the Region, and demonstrating a commitment to dignity, respect, representation, and belonging that I hope the Region will help to guide municipal and school board discussion as well, always with the core value of "care for people and the land we share" at the heart of the matter.

At the same time, I think inclusion is not just developing universally shared spaces, but also having community-specific spaces, events, and activities, and so I hope to see Spectrum and 2SLGBTQ+ community members participating in any and all spaces, events, and activities, that interest and delight them and would encourage Regional partnership in their arrangement.

As other cases and issues may arise, I turn always toward the core value: "care for people and the land we share". When we ask a question about a decision and apply that value, I think a range of plausible and beneficial options may present themselves that may draw us toward a beneficial consensus, even if we struggle to reach an ideal. So, vague as that may be, I don't see it as abstract, and it certainly isn't unilateral. It's something we have to work toward together.

I'm running for Regional Council because of an issue I'm having with a local business that also happens to have a contract with the Region of Waterloo.

That business has asked me to take my patronage of their service elsewhere while refusing to provide an explanation as to why.

My position is that Waterloo Taxi Ltd., if they wish to keep their MobilityPlus contract, has to provide me, and Waterloo Taxi's shareholders, an explanation as to why I was told to take my business elsewhere.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

We do appreciate you reaching out to our campaign to know about our stance on the LGBTQ2+ community in our schools we all serve. With your indulgence ,we will be strongly following the current policy the WRDSB has in place in this regard ( Board Policy 1008- Equity and Inclusion). Where necessary or applicable, we will favourably support the review and update of the policy to adequately respond to the changing needs and challenges confronted. Freedom and liberty is the cornerstone of our campaign and we will go above and beyond to ensure a harassment free, safe spaces in our school environment. Our mantra is : Live and Let Live. 

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

As a candidate for Waterloo Region District School Board Trustee, I believe every student deserves to attend school feeling safe, respected, valued, included, and empowered to reach their full potential. That commitment includes 2SLGBTQIA+ students and families. Inclusion cannot simply be a statement in a policy; it must be reflected in the everyday experiences of students, families, educators, and school communities.

My approach would be grounded in listening, evidence, compassion, accountability, and action. As a Doctor of Social Work, Bachelor of Education in Adult Education, social worker, mental health professional, educator, community leader, and parent in the Waterloo Region, I bring professional and community experience that has taught me the importance of creating environments where people feel that they belong. My work has involved children, youth, families, vulnerable communities, mental health, social services, employment, diversity, equity, inclusion, and community engagement. My doctoral capstone, “Best Practices for Inclusive Hiring,” further strengthened my understanding of systemic barriers, equity, representation, and the importance of creating environments where people can participate and succeed.

If elected, I would take several concrete actions.

First, I would strengthen safe and inclusive school environments. Students should be able to identify trusted adults and know where to turn when they experience bullying, harassment, discrimination, or exclusion. I would advocate for consistent implementation of policies and practices that protect students and create welcoming school climates. Ontario policy already recognizes the responsibility of boards to create safe, inclusive, and accepting learning environments and to address bullying and discrimination. My role as a trustee would be to ensure that these principles translate into meaningful action and measurable outcomes.

Second, I would listen directly to students and families. Student voice must be central to education. I would support opportunities for 2SLGBTQIA+ students and families to share their experiences, concerns, and recommendations in safe and respectful ways. I would also encourage meaningful engagement with community organizations and people with lived experience so that board decisions are informed by those most affected.

Third, I would support mental health and well-being. My professional experience in mental health has shown me that belonging matters. A student who feels isolated, rejected, or unsafe may struggle emotionally, socially, and academically. I would advocate for accessible, culturally responsive, evidence-informed mental health supports and strong connections between schools and community-based services. Ontario’s current student mental-health direction emphasizes coordinated, comprehensive, culturally responsive, evidence-informed supports for students with diverse needs and experiences.

Fourth, I would support meaningful professional learning. Educators and school leaders need the knowledge and confidence to respond appropriately to issues involving sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, bullying, discrimination, and student well-being. Professional development should be ongoing, evidence-informed, practical, and connected to the realities educators face in classrooms. Ontario’s equity and inclusive education direction specifically identifies professional learning and leadership as important components of removing discriminatory barriers.

Fifth, I would advocate for inclusive curriculum and school culture. Students should see themselves and their families reflected respectfully in their learning environments. Inclusion means ensuring that school materials, activities, communications, libraries, extracurricular opportunities, and school celebrations do not unintentionally exclude students or families. It also means creating opportunities for students to learn about diversity, respect, human rights, and the experiences of different communities in developmentally appropriate ways.

Sixth, I would protect student-led inclusion. Student leadership can be transformative. Students who want to create or participate in organizations that promote safe and inclusive schools should be supported. Ontario policy specifically recognizes student-led organizations that promote respect for people of different sexual orientations and gender identities. I would encourage schools to ensure students have access to the information, mentorship, and resources they need to participate meaningfully.

Seventh, I would strengthen accountability. Inclusion must be measurable. As Trustee, I would ask: Are students reporting that they feel safe? Do they feel they belong? Are incidents of bullying and discrimination being reported and addressed appropriately? Are students accessing mental health and support services? Are there differences in experiences among student populations that require action? Data, student feedback, school climate information, and community engagement should help guide continuous improvement.

I also believe inclusion must extend to families. Families should feel welcomed when they interact with schools, regardless of their family structure or identity. Communication should be respectful, accessible, and free from assumptions. Schools should work collaboratively with families while always maintaining the safety, dignity, and rights of students.

My commitment to this work is not simply political. It reflects the career I have built serving people and communities. My professional journey in social work, mental health, education, leadership, and community engagement has taught me that people thrive when they are respected, heard, supported, and given meaningful opportunities to succeed. My doctoral research on inclusive hiring has reinforced my belief that equity requires us to identify barriers rather than simply expect individuals to overcome them.

My campaign is built around a simple principle: every student deserves the opportunity to feel safe, belong, learn, and thrive.

As Trustee, I would bring a calm, informed, collaborative, and evidence-informed voice to this work. I would listen before acting, engage communities, respect diverse perspectives, uphold human rights, and advocate for practical solutions. I would also ensure that inclusion remains connected to student achievement and well-being—not treated as a separate issue.

Ultimately, I want every 2SLGBTQIA+ student to know that they belong in our public education system and that their identity should never be a barrier to their education, safety, relationships, or future. I want families to know that their voices matter and that our schools are places where their children can grow with confidence and dignity.

My vision for WRDSB is an education system where every student can say: I am safe here. I belong here. I am respected here. I can succeed here.

To learn more about my background, qualifications, community leadership, and vision for WRDSB, I invite residents to visit drnarinedatsookram.com.

As a school board trustee, I believe every student deserves to feel safe, welcomed and supported at school and to have the opportunity to thrive.

For 2SLGBTQIA+ students and families, I would support policies and practices that protect students from bullying, harassment and discrimination and ensure that students know where they can turn when they need help. I would also advocate for appropriate mental-health and student supports and for school environments where students feel safe asking for assistance.

I believe listening is essential. Trustees should hear directly from students, families, educators and community organizations about the barriers students are experiencing and use that information, along with measurable outcomes, to determine where policies or supports need improvement.

Parents and caregivers are also important partners in public education. I would work to strengthen communication between families, schools and the Board while recognizing that every family and every student may have different circumstances and needs.

Ultimately, my approach is the same one I bring to all students: identify barriers that are preventing students from having the opportunity to succeed, address those barriers thoughtfully, and ensure that our schools remain safe, welcoming places where students can learn and grow.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.

We will update this space when we get a response from the candidate.