PEIThe Town of Stratford has decided to turn off comments on a social media post about a transgender flag-raising event at town hall in support of National Transgender Awareness Week after people left messages using what officials called “inappropriate, hurtful” and, in some cases, obscene language. No widespread backlash to Transgender Awareness Week, organizers sayTony Davis · CBC News · Posted: Nov 20, 2025 3:00 PM EST | Last Updated: 3 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 4 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Officials with the Town of Stratford said they had to turn off comments on this photo, posted to Facebook, after people left messages using what the town calls inappropriate and hurtful language. (Town of Stratford/Facebook)The Town of Stratford has decided to turn off comments on a social media post about a transgender flag-raising event at town hall in support of National Transgender Awareness Week after people left messages using what officials called “inappropriate, hurtful” and, in some cases, obscene language.“It is disappointing that we live in a time when instead of just scrolling past people feel the need to express negativity, but the Town of Stratford wants to ensure our residents, especially those in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, that we are an ally and will continue to make efforts to demonstrate that commitment,” town officials said in an email to CBC News.Members of the trans community are applauding the town for standing up as an ally, but seeing the comments has been upsetting for some.“I think that it is very unfortunate, but it is a reality the trans community faces. It’s a demonstration of why we have this week in the first place because of the transphobia and political violence trans people face,” said Anastasia Preston, the trans community outreach co-ordinator at PEERS Alliance.“For the most part, P.E.I. has been an accepting place in my experience,” she said, adding that many towns and municipalities are showing more support for trans members of their communities.Kyra Barlow identifies as two-spirit and is the gender-based violence prevention co-ordinator for the Native Council of P.E.I, which is organizing events for the week alongside PEERS Alliance and the P.E.I. Transgender Network.She said she was hurt for members of the trans community after reading some of the comments. ‘People forget that [trans people] are also people and that they hold the same value that everybody else does,’ says Kyra Barlow, the gender-based violence prevention co-ordinator for the Native Council of P.E.I. (Gwyneth Egan/CBC)“It was shocking because I have friends that are part of that community and people that I hold very dear, close to my heart,” Barlow said.”People forget that they are also people and that they hold the same value that everybody else does.”No widespread backlashThe P.E.I. Transgender Network said there hasn’t been widespread backlash to National Transgender Awareness Week on the Island. The network’s executive director, AinZ Kendrick, said only one email targeting the community was received.After the Town of Stratford closed comments and removed negative messages from its social media post, people who identified as members of the trans community contacted the town to thank them for taking action, officials with the municipality said in an email. Preston said the town’s support had a meaningful impact.”This support for the trans community — it starts at municipalities, moves up to the province and moves up nationally. And it is a stark contrast to what we’re seeing south of the border in the United States and what we’re seeing out in Alberta,” Preston said, referring to the Alberta government’s plans to use the notwithstanding clause to block court challenges against three bills affecting transgender people in that province.Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said the move is needed to protect the safety of children, while advocates in the trans community called it harmful. ‘Whether it’s one person or one municipality, that change, that vision, that hope can be felt by the trans community,’ says Anastasia Preston, the trans community outreach co-ordinator at PEERS Alliance. (Gwyneth Egan/CBC)Preston said seeing Island towns speak out against hate is a step in the right direction for P.E.I.“I think it speaks to the ‘Islanderness’ of not liking a bully…. Just because you’re small and just because you’re considered little by the rest of Canada, doesn’t mean that we can’t stand up and make a real change,” Preston said.“Whether it’s one person or one municipality, that change, that vision, that hope can be felt by the trans community.”Prince Edward Island has the best health-care plan for trans people in the country, Preston said, but added that the program needs more provincial funding.ABOUT THE AUTHORTony Davis is a video journalist with a focus on municipal government, housing and addiction for CBC Prince Edward Island. He produces content for radio, digital and television. He grew up on P.E.I. and studied journalism at Holland College. You can email story ideas to anthony.davis@cbc.ca.With files from Gwyneth Egan
After online backlash, P.E.I.’s trans community applauds Town of Stratford for taking a stand
