In Ontario, Canada, members of the Legislative Assembly are pushing a bill that would create “2SLGBTQI+ Community Safety Zones”, where “offensive remarks” about LGBTQIA people would be prohibited within 100 meters, with violators possibly fined up to $25,000.
Kristyn Wong-Tam, member of the New Democratic Party (NDP) of Ontario, is the bill’s main proponent.
New bill in Canada would prosecute anyone that misgendered, criticised or protested against Transgenderism.
Anyone deemed “transphobic, homophobic or offensive” would face prosecution and a $25,000 fine. 🇨🇦
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) April 5, 2023
In a press release, Wong-Tam said that drag artists face threats and intimidation, with “businesses and 2SLGBTQI+ community members being told that they can’t be out and proud.”
If passed, this bill would allow the the Attorney General of Ontario to designate physical addresses in the province as “2SLGBTQI+ Community Safety Zones” for a specified period of time. For that period of time, “anti-2SLGBTQI+ harassment, intimidation, and hate speech within 100 meters of the designated address could receive a provincial fine of up to $25,000.”
The bill similarly hopes to establish an advisory committee made up of members of parliament and “diverse queer and trans community members” to provide recommendations for preventing and combating “anti-2SLGBTQI+ hate crimes in Ontario.”
