Recommendations and Reflections from the DemocracyXChange 2025 Summit

The Trans and Gender-diverse Rights Convening at the DemocracyXChange 2025 Summit highlighted an existential and escalating backlash against trans and gender-diverse communities across North America, marked by over 1,000 anti-trans bills and rising hostile rhetoric in Canada. This report captures the vital discussions and collaborations from the convening, serving as a practical roadmap for future action. While Canada possesses a strong legal framework for trans rights, law alone is "not enough" for lived equality, as it cannot eliminate stigma or misinformation, especially with the increasing pre-emptive use of the notwithstanding clause (Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms). The real battle has shifted to the court of public opinion, demanding a strategic shift from reactivity to a proactive, empathetic advocacy grounded in shared values like freedom, human rights, and dignity.

Key challenges include pervasive disinformation amplified by social media, the weaponization of legal and political tools, limited public understanding of trans issues, internal fragmentation within the movement, and severe capacity strain and burnout among advocates. To counteract these, significant opportunities exist in engaging the "movable middle" of public opinion through empathetic, values-based narratives, leveraging allies in influential positions, and innovating funding strategies beyond traditional government grants. The report also includes a series of longer form reflections (starting on page 18 of the report):

• Beyond the Courtroom: Reflections on Trans Rights in Canada by Bennett Jensen

• Rebuilding the Movement: A Call for Courage, Clarity, and Collective Strategy by Fae Johnstone

• To Teach, We Must First Create Trust by Rowan Jette Knox

• Evolving public opinion data related to Transgender Acceptance in Canada and Implications for Advocacy Strategy by Sabine Matheson

Recommendations Overview

The report outlines a clear path forward across three areas of action:

Narrative Change:

• Invest in public opinion research to understand “movable middle” Canadians.

• Craft empathetic, values-based messages centred on freedom, dignity and family.

• Focus on in-person, relationship-based conversations that build trust beyond the divisive algorithms of social media.

Legal and Policy Action:

• Ramp up support for legal teams under immense strain, including direct funding and pro bono partnerships.

• Challenge the misuse of the notwithstanding clause and frame it as a threat to democracy, not just to trans people.

• Build bridges across political lines by engaging allies in all parties and inside government.

Grassroots Advocacy and Movement Strength:

• Diversify funding strategies to reduce reliance on government grants and enable long-term sustainability.

• Strengthen movement coordination and internal trust while resisting the forces of division and burnout.

• Empower a wider range of advocates such as parents, faith leaders, professionals to lead in their own communities.

Why This Matters Now

This report isn’t just a summary. It’s a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It calls for courage, clarity, and a deep recommitment to collective strategy. Trans communities are facing well-funded, coordinated attacks, but the tools to push back are in our hands.

We invite you to read the full report, share its insights widely, and take part in the growing movement for trans and gender-diverse justice in Canada.