Canadians are ‘leading’ in LGBTQ2 support amid global declines: Ipsos

Data released Friday by Ipsos in its annual Pride Report showed Canada was among the few nations where support has gone up among 26 countries surveyed.

Support for LGBTQ2 rights and visibility remains strong among Canadians and has increased over the past year, a new poll suggests, even as global attitudes continue to decline.

Data released Friday by Ipsos in its annual Pride Report showed Canada was among the few nations where support has gone up among 26 countries surveyed, although that support is lower than levels seen in 2021.

“Canada does appear to be leading in its support on a whole range of metrics,” said Sanyam Sethi, vice-president at Ipsos Public Affairs.

The report found nearly eight out of 10 Canadians surveyed said they support same-sex marriage or legal recognition, that same-sex couples should have the same right to adopt children as heterosexual couples, and that LGBTQ2 people should be protected from harassment and discrimination in employment, housing and access to businesses.

Globally, between 60 and 75 per cent of respondents supported those same positions.

Canadians were also found to be more supportive of LGBTQ2 visibility, with majorities or pluralities approving of public displays of affection, being open about their sexual orientation or gender identity, and seeing more openly LGBTQ2 people on screen, in sports and promoted within companies and brands.

Those attitudes were also above the global average, sometimes as much as 10 points.

Although support for transgender rights in Canada was slightly below that for gay, lesbian, bisexual or non-binary people, Ipsos found it remains well above the global average and has also increased slightly since last year.