Why It's Important
Ensuring digital spaces are safe, inclusive, and affirming for women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people is a critical aspect of equitable community development. Online platforms can be powerful tools for connection, economic opportunity, and accessing services, but they can also be sites of harassment, discrimination, and violence. Proactively building inclusive digital communities is essential for well-being and economic participation. When people feel safe online, they are more likely to start a business, engage in civic dialogue, and access training. As the Government of Canada's 2SLGBTQI action plan emphasizes, creating an inclusive Canada means ensuring 2SLGBTQI+ people are safe and respected in all aspects of society, including the digital realm.
History
The internet has long been a vital space for 2SLGBTQIA+ people to find community, access health information, and organize for their rights, especially for those living in rural or isolated areas. However, as online platforms grew, they also became tools for harassment and hate. The rise of social media amplified these issues, with online mobs and targeted harassment becoming a serious problem. This has led to a growing awareness and body of practice around online safety, content moderation, and the need to intentionally design digital spaces that are safe and inclusive from the start. Organizations and researchers have worked to develop trauma-informed approaches to online community management and advocate for better platform accountability.
Examples
Egale Canada: A leading Canadian 2SLGBTQI+ human rights organization that uses digital platforms for advocacy, public education, and providing resources to support queer and trans youth across the country.
The 519: A Toronto-based community centre that provides a wide range of programs and services for 2SLGBTQ+ communities and uses digital platforms to offer virtual support groups and workshops.
Trans Lifeline: A peer support and crisis hotline for trans people, co-founded by a Canadian, that uses digital systems to connect callers with operators across North America.
Native Youth Sexual Health Network: An Indigenous youth-led organization that uses digital storytelling and online platforms to provide culturally-safe information and resources on sexual health and gender identity.
Software and Tools
Social Media Blocking and Filtering Tools: All major platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X) have built-in tools that allow users to block harassers, mute keywords, and control who can comment on their posts.
Heartmob: A platform from Hollaback! designed to provide support for people experiencing online harassment. It allows users to document the harassment and get support from a community of trusted bystanders.
Encrypted Messaging Apps (e.g., Signal): For sensitive conversations or organizing, using an end-to-end encrypted messaging app provides a much higher level of privacy and security than standard SMS or social media DMs.
Zoom's Security Features: For virtual meetings, using features like a waiting room, requiring registration, and having a co-host dedicated to monitoring for and removing disruptive participants is crucial for safety.
Canva: A graphic design tool that provides access to a diverse library of stock photos and illustrations, making it easier to create visual content that reflects the diversity of your community.
AI Considerations
AI is a double-edged sword for online inclusion. AI-powered moderation tools can be used to automatically detect and flag harassing language or hate speech, making online communities safer at scale. However, these same AI models can be biased. They are sometimes trained on datasets that reflect societal biases and may incorrectly flag terminology used within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community as "offensive" while failing to detect more subtle forms of hate speech. It is critical that any AI-based moderation system has a clear and accessible process for a human to review its decisions and that community managers do not rely on AI alone to keep their spaces safe.
FAQ
Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and the plus sign acknowledges the many other identities in the community. "Two-Spirit" is a term used by some Indigenous people to describe their gender, sexual, and spiritual identity.
Doxxing is the act of publishing someone's private identifying information (like their home address or phone number) online without their permission, often with the intent to harass or intimidate them.
There are a few options, depending on the situation and your comfort level. You can report the harassing content to the platform, publicly support the person being targeted, or privately reach out to them to offer support. The Right to Be organization has excellent bystander intervention training.
A safe space is created through clear rules, consistent moderation, and a culture of respect. It's an ongoing process of community management, not just a technical setting.
Consider recruiting and training a team of trusted community volunteers to act as moderators for your online spaces.
Pro Tips
Champion digital spaces that welcome women and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals by promoting and adhering to anti‑harassment policies, using inclusive language and imagery, and encouraging diverse representation in leadership roles. Seek and offer mentorship opportunities that support these groups, and always consider their perspectives when designing programs. Your advocacy fosters a safer, more equitable digital environment.
Checklist
External Resources
The Government of Canada's 2SLGBTQI+: Provides information and resources related to the federal government's work on 2SLGBTQI+ issues.
Wisdom2Action: A Canadian organization that provides resources and training on engaging and supporting 2SLGBTQI+ youth.
The Committee on the Status of Women's report on Violence Against Women and Girls in the Digital Context: A parliamentary report that provides a Canadian overview of the issue of online gender-based violence.
Challenging Gendered Digital Harm: Research Report 2025: A Canada Commons Research Report examines the impacts of gendered digital harm on women, gender-diverse individuals, and gender equality organizations in Canada.
Project SOMEONE (Social Media Education Every Day): A research initiative based at Concordia University that works to counter online hate and build digital citizenship.