Demographics and Educational Experiences of Black 2SLGBTQI+ People In Canada

2023-02-07

Black 2SLGBTQI+ communities in Canada face a breadth of issues of relevance for a federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan. Intersecting systems of oppression function to compound barriers to accessing the supports needed to respond to the specific health, economic and social outcomes of Black 2SLGBTQI+ at individual and community levels.

Get to know the facts! 🤝

Black communities in Canada are increasingly diverse, with Black newcomers coming from roughly 125 different countries.

  • More than 200 ethnic or cultural origins were reported by Black Canadians
  • 94% of Black Canadians live in larger urban centres
  • Ontario is home to 52% of Black Canadians.

Black communities have diverse histories in Canada and have been involved in building Canada from its earliest days.
Like the United States, Canada has its own history of slavery, including the transatlantic slave trade.
Black Canadians have also arrived through various waves of migration.

The demographic of Black 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada is diverse and not well-represented in current research.
it is known that Black 2SLGBTQI+ individuals face significant challenges and discrimination both within and outside of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

Black 2SLGBTQI+ individuals face unique forms of discrimination based on their intersecting identities.
Studies have shown that Black 2SLGBTQI+ individuals experience higher rates of poverty, unemployment, and police discrimination compared to the general population.
The compounding effects of anti-Black racism and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression create additional and unique barriers to education for Black 2SLGBTQI+ people.

A study conducted by the Toronto District School Board found that 57% of Black LGBTQ2 students felt accepted by their peers, compared to 80% of heterosexual students.

Within student expulsions Black students accounted for 48% of all expulsions, compared to 10% of white students

The same study demonstrated disproportionate rates of bullying experienced by Black LGBTQ2 students, 46% of whom reported being victims of verbal insults at school (compared with 31% of heterosexual students).  

Black youth aged 9 to 13 are just as likely as other Canadian youth to have completed a high school diploma, yet were less likely than other Canadian youth to have attained a postsecondary qualification. This gap in postsecondary graduation rates remained even after accounting for differences in socioeconomic and family characteristics.