Commitment to systemic transformation in 2S and LGBTQIA+ rights and decolonizing global partnerships assures a place at the table for all
The United Church of Canada is committed to systemic transformation in Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ rights, and to decolonizing our global partnerships. To that end, several Global South partners will be visiting Canada for an exchange from September 28 to October 9, 2026. The delegation includes partners from Zambia, Mozambique, Kenya, South Korea, Colombia, and the Philippines, alongside 2S and LGBTQIA+ Canadians from the United Church.
Partners will meet with United Church Canadian partners, communities of faith, other ecumenical and civil society organizations, as well as Canadian government officials.
“During this visit, discussions will focus on churches' role in supporting the rights of sexual minorities and gender identities,” says Jane Thirikwa, Program Coordinator, Global Advocacy 2S and LGBTQIA+. “Besides hearing from the partners, we’ll learn more about accompaniment towards full inclusion in different faith and social contexts, and how to draw the progressive church closer in solidarity and action around these issues.”
This exchange will build on the work of United Church regional consultations held in Canada (2017), Latin America (2019), Asia (2023) and Africa (2024). These consultations have identified urgent needs to strengthen church-based advocacy, address the rise of religious fundamentalism, and foster theological formation and advocacy that promote gender and sexual diversity as expressions of God’s image and justice.
Registration is now open for Faith Beyond Borders: Global Voices for LGBTQIA+ Justice, a public event on October 1 at 6 p.m. at Charbonnel Lounge, located at 81 St. Mary Street in the University of Toronto.
On October 5, the group will visit Ottawa and spend the day meeting Members of Parliament and officials from Global Affairs Canada. They will engage with them on 2S and LGBTQIA+ rights and protections, as well as Canada’s leadership in the protection and promotion of human rights in Canada and abroad. The evening will be spent with God's Beloved, hosted by Kitchissippi United Church in Ottawa.
“Advocacy is an important piece of advancing 2S and LGBTQIA+ rights,” says Thirikwa. “While there is also much work to do, locally and provincially, Canada can play a significant role supporting faith-based LGBTQIA+ human rights advocacy around the world.”
This timely exchange comes at a moment when 2S and LGBTQIA+ rights and inclusion are facing increasing challenges in Canada, including the recent developments and pushback surrounding trans rights and protections in Alberta.
While the partners come from contexts with their own distinct political, social, and theological realities, creating space for them to share their experiences with Canadian communities can help deepen our understanding of the global nature of these struggles and strengthen mutual solidarity. The exchange is also an opportunity for United Church communities of faith to hear directly from Global South leaders about resilience, faith, advocacy, and hope in contexts where LGBTQIA+ people continue to face significant exclusion and hostility.