2SLGBTQIA+ programming in Waterloo Region moved online due to potential disruption

Some LGBTQ+ events have been cancelled after a warning from police. CTV’s Ashley Bacon explains.

An organization that serves Waterloo Region’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community moved their programming online on Tuesday after they got word of a potential planned disruption.

In a social media post on Tuesday, Spectrum Community Space, an organization that says it serves, affirms and supports the well-being of 2SLGBTQ+ people in Waterloo Region, said the Waterloo Regional Police Service had warned them about “planned anti-2SLGBTQIA+ actions targeting local queer events and programs.”

The group decided to move all programming planned for the day online out of an abundance of caution.

“For over a decade Spectrum has supported and provided a welcoming space for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and nothing will stop that. We will resume in person programs ASAP and continue to update our community with any details,” the post from Spectrum read.

In an interview with CTV News on Wednesday, Suzie Taka, executive director of Spectrum Community Space said it was a tough decision to make.

“I always kind of think about, who is that one person, a younger person, someone who isn’t connected to the community who’s coming to one of our programs, who would feel very vulnerable to know that there is a threat of what could be violence,” Taka said.

“As a queer person, it feels terrible. I think we know there’s hate. We know there’s not 100 per cent acceptance. There are still folks who just do not understand that queer and trans people have always been here, will always be here,” she added.

Taka said Spectrum will not back down from their mission.

“We are continuing business as usual, if not more than ever. We know that the need is absolutely here. If this is the reality of the community we live in, which it clearly is, then the need for organizations like Spectrum is only more necessary than ever.”

Meanwhile an event hosted by KW Gays and Theys called ‘Beers with Queers’ that was scheduled for Tuesday night was cancelled.

Organizers said they also received a warning from the Waterloo Regional Police.

“For everyone’s safety, we feel more comfortable cancelling and rescheduling this event,” a post on Instagram said.

In an email, the Waterloo Regional Police Service confirmed they had received information “regarding a potential disruption at an unspecified upcoming 2SLGBTQI+ event taking place in Kitchener on Oct. 21, 2025.”

Police said that information was shared with organizers of events taking place on Tuesday.

More to come.