Two businesses in Halifax, Canada have reported anti-trans messages targeting the trans community were written on their buildings, raising concerns about a possible rise in hate crimes linked to President Donald Trump’s attack on trans communities south of the border.
Early in February, a vandal wrote anti-trans graffiti on Venus Envy’s storefront.
Writing on social media, Venus Envy, which stocks books and adult products, said: “Over the weekend someone graffitied our storefront with an unsettling and harmful anti-trans statement.
“We are a visibly queer and trans space, and this is not the first time our store has been targeted – usually smaller things like our pride flags broken, or welcome stickers removed – but this incident felt like an escalation and an indicator that some feel emboldened to display their hatred publicly.
“Our shop welcomes everyone and we do not tolerate hateful or discriminatory behaviour. We aim to provide a space that promotes curiosity and care for one’s self, the world around them, and others, with education being at the core of this.”
Another business, Glitter Bean Cafe, was also targeted last week with the message: “This business supports child grooming.”
In that case, the cafe said it will “persist and continue to be a space that offers safety and comfort for marginalised folks” and that the rise in “aggressive, bigoted behaviour” was concerning.
Lisa Lachance, Nova Scotia New Democratic Party LGBTQ+ spokesperson, said what happens across the border has reverberations at home.
“We’re seeing rights that seemed firmly entrenched being stripped away, and that’s really concerning for folks. So far, that hasn’t happened here, but I’d like to think that we’re going to avoid the culture war around this,” Lachance said.
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