The 2026 March for Trans Rights took place in Ottawa yesterday evening.
The Instagram page for the march had highlighted: “Together, we’ll make our voices heard, reject hate and advocate for trans liberation – for freedom, equality and human rights. We invite trans and gender diverse people, the people who love and support us, and other allies to join us as we take to the streets. Bring your friends, bring your family, and let’s show the power of our movement!”
Ottawa’s first Trans March for Equality took place on Sunday November 19, 2006. There was another Trans March on Friday August 19, 2016. The marches restarted in 2023 and last night was the fourth consecutive march.
Trans people face multiple barriers in Canada
Trans people in Canada are twice as likely as the general population to experience severe poverty and homelessness. Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (2SLGBTQI) people in Canada are also overrepresented in low-wage and precarious employment and are susceptible to hiring discrimination.
The study titled A Qualitative Look at Serious Legal Problems: Trans, Two-Spirit, and Non-Binary People in Canada also noted: “Nearly all participants who reported any contact with criminal law enforcement (especially with police) described their interactions as harmful or otherwise negative. Indigenous, Black, and racialized participants — including participants who are migrants and/or criminalized — reported the most frequent, recurring, and violent encounters with law enforcement.”
And transgender and gender diverse people in Canada are twice as likely as cisgender people to have experienced unwanted sexual behaviours in public places that made them feel unsafe or uncomfortable (58% versus 23%, respectively) and three times more likely in the workplace (69% versus 23%).
The risk of counter-protestors
Social media posts for this year’s March had indicated: “There is always a risk of counter-protestors or far-right troublemakers, but we have marshals ready to intervene if needed. Marshals will be clearly identified.”
In January 2023, Global News reported: “Protests against drag shows [in Canada] have become a regular occurrence, particularly at those aimed at family audiences like ‘drag brunches’ and ‘drag queen story time.’ Some have led to threats of violence: in December [2022], a bomb threat was called in at an event at a library in Brockville, Ontario, and a protester even gained access to the roof and set fire to the building’s HVAC [heating, ventilation and air conditioning] system.”
And in September 2023, the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres also noted: “Egale Canada [has] tracked over 6000 anti-2SLGBTQI protests and instances of online hate in Canada in the first three months of 2023 alone. The organization [Egale Canada] notes: ‘There’s a rising tide of hate in this country’ against 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.”
That article added: “This year in Canada, 2SLGBTQQIA+ rights have faced growing attack. 2SLGBTQ and transgender flags have been being stolen or damaged. Some communities and school boards in Ontario and British Columbia made decisions to not fly the Pride flag, for example, while other communities saw school board protests, such as a rise in student absences on June 1 amid pushback on Pride celebrations.”
Solidarity with Palestine
At the March for Trans Rights in Ottawa last night there were many people wearing keffiyehs (a global symbol of solidarity with Palestine) as well as some carrying Palestinian flags in opposition to the occupation and genocide.
The Ottawa Trans March is calling on the Government of Canada to: “impose a two-way arms embargo on Israel, apply pressure on Israel to end the genocide, and fully withdraw from Gaza” along with other demands.
The situation around the world
There has been an upsurge in attacks against the trans community and movement leaders worldwide.
In November 2025, TGEU (Trans Europe and Central Asia) documented: “281 trans and gender diverse people were reported murdered between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025. …There is a notable rise in murders of activists and movement leaders, who are the second most targeted group by occupation this year, accounting for 14% of cases (up from 9% in 2024 and 6% in 2023).”
The Peace Brigades International-Honduras Project has accompanied Arcoíris, the LGTB Association of Honduras, since July 2015.
Reportar Sin Miedo (Report Without Fear) reports: “So far in 2026, 11 trans people have been murdered throughout the country, according to data from the Observatory of the Lesbian Network Cattrachas.”
On August 3, 2026, PBI-Honduras accompanied Arcoiris at the annual Pride march in the city of San Pedro Sula. They posted on social media: “At PBI, we express our support for the tireless work of the LGBT community in defending human rights, in continuing to create spaces for dialogue and in building networks of solidarity.”
Canada less welcome to LGBTQI+ asylum seekers
The government of Prime Minister Mark Carney officially passed Bill C-12, titled the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, which received Royal Assent on March 26, 2026.
Prior to its passage, Rainbow Railroad commented: “Bill C-12 has the potential to endanger the lives of LGBTQI+ people fleeing persecution. …For LGBTQI+ asylum seekers, whose safety often depends on privacy, trust, and time to disclose their identities, Bill C-12 replaces compassion with control, turning Canada’s asylum system into an enforcement tool that undermines fairness, transparency, and due process.”
We continue to follow this.
You can follow the March for Trans Rights Ottawa Instagram page here.
More photos from the March for Trans Rights in Ottawa.
Further reading: PBI-Honduras accompanies Arcoiris and LGBTI+ community at annual Pride march in San Pedro Sula (PBI-Canada, August 14, 2026)
