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Watch Justin Trudeau Adorably Stumble Over 'LGBTQ2+' in Campaign Q&A

Justin Trudeau saying LGBTQ2+

Twitter followers got a laugh out of the viral moment. 

MikelleStreet

After holding on to power as the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau is going viral for a speech snafu.

Earlier this week, Trudeau began to go viral for a September 11, 2021 speech he gave. In the speech, which took place in Mississauga, Ontario, he reaffirmed "his party's commitments on climate change, health care, housing, and child care," according to CPAC. But, in the viral clip, Trudeau stumbles over the acronym LGBTQ2+.

Before the snippet, a reporter had asked Trudeau about what accountability he takes for the rising instances of hate in Canada. When Trudeau outlines the work that the government has already done, the reporter follows up and asks again what accountability he takes and what he could have done to prevent the increase from occuring.

"I will never apologize for standing up for what's right," Trudeau answers, now in the Q&A session of his press conference. "I will never apologize for unequivocally standing up for a woman's right to choose.

"I will never apologize for standing up for LGDP, LGT, LBT," he said in the speech. Someone off-camera gives him the correct order of letters before the then-campaigning candidate continues. "LGBTQ2+ kids' rights to not have to undergo conversion therapy."

While LGBT or LGBTQ+ is generally accepted as the generally accepted acronym in the United States of America, encompassing the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer communities, in Canada the Two-Spirit community is also generally named in their acronym.

Trudeau, who has been prime minister since 2015, has largely been seen as an ally to the community. In 2017, he formally apologized to those who had been persecuted under Canada's past anti-LGBTQ+ laws and his government announced that the government would settle a lawsuit filed by those who were forced out of civil and military service because of their sexual orientation. A fund of 100 million Canadian dollars was set up for those impacted by those laws and policies. He also has been very vocal about his support for banning conversion therapy.

Under his government, Canada amended the Human Rights Act to protect trans folks from discrimination and hate crimes. The Prime Minister has also done a series of acts for visibility including appearing at Pride events, presiding over the first raising of the Pride flag at Canada's Parliament Hill, and being the first sitting Prime Minister to visit a gay bar.

Still, some within the community feel that Trudeau and the Liberal government have not done enough to push for true equality or to execute on their stated goals.

See the full speech below. The exchange begins at minute 47.

MikelleStreet
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Mikelle Street

Mikelle Street is the former editorial director of digital for PrideMedia, guiding digital editorial across The Advocate, Out, Pride.com, Out Traveler, and Plus. He has written cover stories on Ricky Martin, Jeremy O. Harris, Law Roach, and Symone.
Mikelle Street is the former editorial director of digital for PrideMedia, guiding digital editorial across The Advocate, Out, Pride.com, Out Traveler, and Plus. He has written cover stories on Ricky Martin, Jeremy O. Harris, Law Roach, and Symone.