LGBTQ2S+ events moved online after police notified groups of a threat
Posted Oct 22, 2025 03:56:25 PM.
Last Updated Oct 23, 2025 05:55:59 AM.
A local support organization for the LGBTQ2S+ community was forced to move its programming online after a warning from police on Tuesday.
Suzie Taka, Executive Director, Spectrum Waterloo Region, took to social media early Tuesday afternoon to announce that police have informed her of planned anti-LGBTQ2S+ actions that would be targeting queer events and programs in the region.
The sessions were moved online out of an abundance of caution.
Taka told 570 NewsRadio that while she took the warning seriously, she didn’t quite grasp the scope of the issue in the moment.
“At the beginning, I didn’t really realize how widespread it was. Soon I saw others come out and connect with other organizations who had also been notified that it was, like, a very widespread and very targeted, I guess you could call it a threat, that they had been aware of and were taking seriously.”
Taka said that while seeing anti-LGBTQ2S+ protests at queer events is fairly common, what they were dealing with on Tuesday was something else.
“We’ve not seen that, in my recent memory of the last ten years in the area or in the history of Spectrum, ever of this kind of targeted behaviour where they are targeting specific meeting places or events that are happening. Normally, anti-LGBTQ2S+ protests are held in public places like all public protests are.”
Taka went on to say she took the warning from police to heart and acted quickly, for very good reason.
“There is a history of local violence. We know there is a history of far-right groups in the area. So, we’re taking the threat extremely seriously and at the same time absolutely not backing down on running our programs, running our services, knowing they are needed now more than ever.”
Taka mentioned the stabbing at the University of Waterloo in 2023 that targeted a professor and two students in a gender issues philosophy course.
While Taka said Spectrum is concerned, they aren’t scared and will continue to serve the LGBTQ2S+ as best they can.
She said the influx of support has been heartening.
“The overwhelming community support always shows me that as a whole, this is a welcoming and inclusive community, but at the same time hate absolutely exists in the region.”
In a statement to 570 NewsRadio, Waterloo Regional Police said:
“Waterloo Regional Police received information regarding a potential disruption at an unspecified upcoming 2SLGBTQ+ event taking place in Kitchener on October 21, 2025. The information was shared with organizers of events taking place today and safety planning was conducted. The investigation has concluded.”
