Edmonton thrives when everyone, including all gender identities and sexual orientations, feels safe, valued and empowered to live authentically. But for many 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, that sense of belonging isn’t always a reality.
The 2SLGBTQIA+ Safe Spaces Action Plan is a City Council-initiated, community-driven approach to break down barriers, strengthen inclusion and create a city where people can thrive without fear of discrimination or exclusion. Guided by lived experiences and meaningful engagement, this plan aims to shape municipal policies, improve access to services in Edmonton, and foster meaningful change.
This is more than a plan - it’s a commitment to action.
The 2SLGBTQIA+ Safe Spaces Action Plan is an initiative shaped by the voices and experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, aiming to build a safer, more inclusive Edmonton, where every person can live authentically and without fear.
Explore how you can be part of the movement toward a more inclusive Edmonton.
For many 2SLGBTQIA+ Edmontonians, safety and belonging are not guaranteed. Too many still face barriers to inclusion, from discrimination in public spaces to challenges in workplaces and services.
- Reports of hate-motivated crimes targeting 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Canada have nearly doubled between 2020-2022 (Source: Hate crime in Canada - Statistics Canada)
- Nearly 40,000 Edmontonians identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community (Source: 2SLGBTQ+ population - Statistics Canada)
- When communities feel safe, the entire city thrives, fostering stronger relationships, businesses and neighborhoods
The 2SLGBTQIA+ Safe Spaces Action Plan is a City-led initiative to enhance safety, reduce barriers, and foster inclusion for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in Edmonton. The plan is developed in partnership with the community and will help:
- Shape municipal policies
- Improve access to services provided, coordinated, supported and funded by the City of Edmonton
- Strengthen community partnerships to create safer, more inclusive public spaces
The City of Edmonton is working alongside 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, advocates and organizations to shape an action plan that aims to:
- Create safer and more welcoming public spaces in Edmonton
- Improve access to services in Edmonton that meet the needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals
- Reduce barriers and address discrimination
- Strengthen partnerships with 2SLGBTQIA+ community organizations
- Explore the creation of a 2SLGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee to help guide this work long-term
- Support collaboration and information sharing with other orders of government to foster an enhanced understanding of the unique and localized needs of Edmonton
Project Timeline
We are listening, learning and taking action through a phased approach to ensure the voices of 2SLGBTQIA+ community members shape the future of this plan.
| Phase | Timeline | Key Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Listen and Learn | Dec 2024-Feb 2025 | Community workshops to identify priorities and needs. |
| Explore and Engage | Feb-April 2025 | Online surveys, pop-ups, and community conversations to shape the Action Plan. |
| Reveal and Confirm | May-June 2025 | Analyze community feedback, present a "What We Heard" report to the community for validation, and refine key recommendations. |
| Plan Finalization and Next Steps | Early 2026 | Submission to City Council and first steps toward implementation. |
Support and Services
Resources available to me as a 2SLGBTQIA+ Person in Edmonton.
Edmonton’s first 24/7 mental health and wellness helpline dedicated to supporting people in Edmonton’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Call 1-844-702-7483
Available 24/7 for those in crisis or distress or those supporting someone who is.
Call 780-482-4357
A peer support phone service run by trans people for trans and questioning peers.
Call 1-877-330-6366 (11am-7pm Mountain Time)
If you are looking for additional support, you can visit The Rainbow Pages, an Edmonton-specific 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth Resource Guide, and call 211, text INFO to 211, or visit 211 Alberta to be connected to a range of programs and services in Edmonton.
What should I do if I witness or experience discrimination or violence?
If you experience or witness hate speech, discrimination, or violence, you can report incidents to the Edmonton Police Service, seek support from community organizations or reach out to the City for inclusive resources and services.
Supporting Victims of Hate Crimes and Incidents
Produced by StopHateAB and MacEwan University, this guide highlights local resources for people to access if one has experienced hate crimes and incidents.
Understanding and Responding to Hate, Racism, and Discrimination on the Frontlines
A short, free online training hosted by REACH Edmonton to help you learn more about how to address hate, racism, and discrimination.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Safe Spaces Action Plan aligns with the Community Safety and Well-Being Strategy, focusing on Safe and Inclusive Spaces, Well-Being, and Equitable Policies, Procedures, and Standards. It also aligns with the Blueprint for Violence Prevention, which aims to stabilize, reduce and prevent violence across Edmonton.
The plan is community-driven, meaning it is shaped by direct input from 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, advocacy groups, and organizations. The process includes community workshops to understand needs, surveys and engagement sessions for broader participation, a "What We Heard" report summarizing community insights, and actions that will inform policies and programs.
Edmonton's 2SLGBTQIA+ community is diverse with many different needs and perspectives. Our goal with this engagement is to value the different perspectives and experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Edmonton, because this is our strength as a community. Your feedback will help us better understand what changes may be needed at the City to build inclusion and belonging.
While the full details will be finalized through engagement, the plan aims to enhance the safety and accessibility of public spaces, improve City services to be more inclusive and affirming, provide support for 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and initiatives, address rising hate and discrimination, and explore the creation of a 2SLGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee.
The plan will inform municipal policy and service improvements, but any formal bylaw changes would be subject to City Council approval. The focus is on practical actions that make Edmonton safer and more welcoming.
The City will track progress through community feedback and ongoing engagement, data on safety and inclusion in City spaces, reports on policy and service improvements, and evaluation of partnerships and funding impacts. The Action Plan will include an Evaluation Plan and Investment Plan to ensure that this work is evidence-based, accountable, and transparent.
This plan benefits everyone by making Edmonton a more welcoming, inclusive, and safe city. Research shows that cities with strong inclusion policies experience stronger communities, better social cohesion, and economic growth. We are working to ensure an intersectional approach to our community engagements to create an action plan that recognizes the intersecting experiences of people in Edmonton.
Allies play a crucial role in fostering inclusion. You can educate yourself about 2SLGBTQIA+ experiences, use inclusive language and respect people’s identities, speak out against discrimination, support 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations, and engage in City programs and initiatives.
The 2SLBTQIA+ Safe Spaces Action Plan focuses on City of Edmonton services, programs, spaces and places, as well as services coordinated or funded by the City of Edmonton. We will also be preparing an Intergovernmental Plan that will include actions and items the municipality can raise to other orders of government beyond the jurisdiction of the municipality.