The Border Effect: How U.S. Transphobia Creeps into Canadian Queer Life
Canada’s progressive reputation is often a point of pride, especially in contrast to the tumultuous, frequently regressive political landscape of its southern neighbour. Yet, as much as Canadians may believe in an impenetrable shield against U.S.-style hate, transphobia does not respect borders. The rise of anti-trans legislation, media rhetoric, and cultural scapegoating in the United States is quietly—and sometimes overtly—seeping into Canadian society, threatening hard-won progress and emboldening domestic far-right movements.
When the U.S. Sneezes, Canada Catches a Cold
The rapid escalation of transphobia in the United States is staggering. In 2023 alone, over 170 anti-trans bills were introduced, targeting everything from gender-affirming care to trans youth in sports, and even criminalizing parents and healthcare providers who support trans children. These laws are not isolated incidents; they are part of a coordinated, well-funded campaign to roll back LGBTQ+ rights. And these ideas do not stop at the 49th parallel.
Canada has seen troubling echoes of this rhetoric, particularly in provinces like Saskatchewan and New Brunswick. Both have introduced policies requiring parental consent for educators to use a child’s chosen name or pronouns, invoking a narrative of protecting “parental rights.” The language is eerily familiar because it is: U.S. conservative groups are increasingly influencing their Canadian counterparts, providing strategic playbooks, funding, and ideological frameworks. Even in ostensibly progressive provinces like Ontario, school boards have faced anti-LGBTQ+ protests stoked by misinformation imported from the United States.
Exporting Hate: The Role of Conservative Media and Academia
The Canadian far right is not solely a domestic phenomenon. It thrives on cross-border partnerships. Figures like Ben Shapiro, Matt Walsh, and Tucker Carlson command significant Canadian audiences, shaping domestic opinions on queer and trans issues. At the same time, Canadian voices such as Toronto-based psychologist James Cantor have lent credibility to anti-trans arguments abroad, serving as expert witnesses in U.S. lawsuits defending bans on gender-affirming care.
This transnational exchange of rhetoric and ideas has tangible consequences. Anti-LGBTQ+ protests are on the rise in Canada, with drag story hours and pride events becoming frequent targets. What began as an American culture war export has taken root here, emboldening Canadian far-right groups to openly mobilize against LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Why This Matters: The Myth of Canadian Exceptionalism
The creeping influence of U.S. transphobia underscores a fundamental truth: Canada is not immune to the forces of hate, and its progressive image often obscures its vulnerabilities. For many Canadians, the cultural myth of a tolerant, inclusive society creates a dangerous complacency. Canada may lack the overt, hyper-partisan legislative battles seen in the United States, but the erosion of LGBTQ+ rights here is happening in quieter, more insidious ways.
Transphobia doesn’t respect borders. As U.S. hate spreads northward, Canadians must shed the myth of exceptionalism and actively resist before it’s too late.
The rise of protests against inclusive school policies or the growing boldness of groups like Action4Canada are not anomalies—they are symptoms of a broader, global backlash against queer and trans liberation. The question is not whether Canada is “better” than the U.S. at protecting trans rights. The question is whether Canada will resist these reactionary forces before it is too late.
What Can Be Done: Fighting Back with Solidarity
So, what is next? First, we must name the problem clearly: transphobia is a transnational phenomenon, and Canada is not an innocent bystander. The LGBTQ+ community and its allies must actively resist imported hate by building stronger local networks and coalitions. This includes supporting organizations that defend trans rights, creating educational campaigns to counteract misinformation, and showing up in solidarity when protests or threats emerge.
But resistance is not just reactive—it must be proactive. Canadians need to push for policies that affirm trans lives, from expanding access to gender-affirming care to protecting trans youth in schools. Education is another critical tool: teaching the broader public how U.S.-style hate is infiltrating Canadian discourse can inoculate communities against its spread.
Finally, we must not underestimate the power of joy and visibility as resistance. Celebrating trans lives and stories—through art, community events, and media—counters the narrative of fear the far right seeks to impose. Joy is a form of defiance, and it strengthens the solidarity needed to push back. – TML