PEIAbout 60 people gathered in Charlottetown this weekend to discuss how to respond to hate directed at the 2SLGBTQ+ community. “A lot of the time, they just don’t understand”Jenna Banfield · CBC News · Posted: Nov 16, 2025 3:17 PM EST | Last Updated: 2 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 2 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.About 60 people gathered this weekend in Charlottetown to discuss how to respond to hate directed at the 2SLGBTQ+ community. (Taylor O’Brien/CBC)Leena Daboo sometimes gets defensive when she encounters discrimination.”I am naturally a little confrontational,” Daboo says.The Charlottetown woman was one of about 60 people who gathered this weekend in Charlottetown to discuss how to respond to hate directed at the 2SLGBTQ+ community.While there, Daboo heard that her approach might not be the most helpful. Instead, the message she took away from the gathering was “always lead with love.”Leena Daboo says a key takeaway for her was to teach others in the same way she would want to be taught. (Taylor O’Brien/CBC)Fae Johnstone delivered that cornerstone message about leading with love.She’s the executive director for the Society of Queer Momentum, which responds to 2SLGBTQ+ hate.”When folks don’t understand or they don’t understand people like me, I actually have a lot of empathy for that,” she said. “When we take the time to understand where folks are coming from to connect on those shared values.… I believe we contribute to a more inclusive country, and a country that’s better for everyone.”Fae Johnstone says taking the time to connect on shared values can help people find common ground. (Taylor O’Brien/CBC)Meeting people at their understandingJay Alexander, a trans woman for five years, said she has grown a ‘thicker skin’ over the years. But she says navigating 2SLGBTQ+ discrimination can be difficult for someone who is newly out, especially since it can be scary and intimidating.However, she adds that it’s important not to be combative.Jay Alexander says facing 2SLGBTQ+ discrimination can be intimidating, but said it’s important to remember that people often won’t understand if they are greeted with combativeness. (Taylor O’Brien/CBC)”Right now, we live in a very reactionary society, and with queerness being one of the top political issues, it’s important to greet them with warmth and compassion because, a lot of the time, they just don’t understand,” Alexander said.Henry Luyombya, a social worker with PEERS Alliance says it’s important to have conversations about confronting hate in meaningful ways. “It starts with listening,” he said.ABOUT THE AUTHORJenna Banfield is an associate producer for CBC Prince Edward Island. She can be reached at jenna.banfield@cbc.caWith files from Taylor O’Brien
‘Lead with love’ when responding to 2SLGBTQ+ hate, P.E.I. gathering told
