Backgrounder – Strengthening 2SLGBTQI+ communities to advance equality in Alberta and Manitoba

Nine organizations based in Alberta and Manitoba will implement projects to advance equality for 2SLGBTQI+ communities and address the rise in hate by bringing people together.

2Spirit Manitoba Inc.

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Project name: Being a Good Relative: Tools for 2Spirits and the Communities that Support Them

Project description: This project will address barriers in cultural spaces, address hate and discrimination, improve access to inclusive services, and uplift voices of Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ community members in Manitoba.  

Funding amount: up to $845,458

Black Pride YYC   

Calgary, Alberta  

Project name: Equality Now Initiative: Bridging Gaps for Black 2SLGBTQI+ Equality 

Project description: This project will address the needs and barriers to equality for black 2SLGBTQI+ communities in Calgary. This will be achieved by developing and enhancing access to culturally relevant resources, amplifying leadership within the black trans community, and promoting inclusive employment practices.

Funding amount: up to $366,527

Comité FrancoQueer de l'Ouest

Edmonton, Alberta

Project name: Impact FrancoQueer : Transforming Spaces of Power in the West and the Territories

Project description: This project will address 2SLGBTQI+ communities’ needs and barriers to equality. It will engage Francophone and Francophiles 2SLGBTQI+ communities and foster collaboration with Anglophone queer organizations on joint initiatives to promote representation and inclusion. 

Funding amount: up to $489,784

Edmonton 2 Spirit Society

Edmonton, Alberta

Project name: 2 Spirit lii koont (Winter Count) Project

Project description: This project will address the ability to prevent or address gender-based violence against Indigenous women, girls, or 2SLGBTQQIA+ people with a focus on their local community. This will be achieved by reviewing the existing governance structure to improve their governance practices and building new partnerships to expand their networks in consort with strengthening their existing alliances. 

Funding amount: up to $296,676

The Enchanté Network

Edmonton, Alberta

Project name: Back To Our Roots: Canada’s first ever national organization for Black queer, trans, and nonbinary people

Project description: This project will address the foundational pillars of Canada’s first national Black 2SLGBTQI+ organization through engagement, communication, and organizational development - all with a focus on systemic impact and organizational sustainability.  

Funding amount: $900,000

HIV Network of Edmonton Society

Edmonton, Alberta

Project name: Road to Equity: Digital Stories of the 2SLGBTQI+ community living with HIV

Project description: This project will address capacity building in 2SLGBTQI+ people living with HIV and AIDS community by proposing to have peers trained to create digital stories of the life journeys of 30 2SLGBTQI+ peers along side complimentary developed collateral resources. 

Funding amount: up to $198,172

Queer & Trans Health Collective

Edmonton, Alberta

Project name: Supporting Albertan Physicians, Nurses and Pharmacists in Providing Trans Affirming Care

Project description: This project will address reducing and removing barriers to healthcare experienced by the trans community, which often reduces quality of life and causes healthcare avoidant behaviour. The organization will work with healthcare providers and professional organizations to develop and implement best practice guidelines, a strategic plan, and training tools to support gender affirming care.  

Funding amount: up to $888,848

Sunshine House

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Project name: This is for Kelly

Project description: The project creates a more supportive community for 2SGLBTQI+ people experiencing houselessness. The program enhances existing Community Advisory Circles, broadening the purpose of the collective to create an accurate snapshot of the housing insecurity, service gaps, and peer-led recommendations for improvement.

Funding amount: $247,869

Trans Manitoba

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Project name: Gender Equity in Organizations: Including Two Spirits and Trans and Nonbinary Folks in the Workplace

Project description: This project will plan, create, and test a toolkit for public and private sector organizations to better achieve gender equity through the inclusion of Two Spirits and transgender and gender non-conforming folks.

Funding amount: up to $399,664