Fae Johnstone of Ottawa is shown on chocolate bars for International Women’s Day
A transgender rights activist from Ottawa says she’s “not going anywhere” after getting a lot of hate mail online because she was in a Hershey Canada campaign for International Women’s Day.
Fae Johnstone, a trans woman who is 27 years old, was one of five women on the limited-edition chocolate bars.
After finding out that Johnstone was involved, some people on social media attacked Johnstone personally and called for a Hershey boycott.
“This campaign’s tone is not trying to push a trans agenda. It’s a day to honor women and girls in all their different ways. Johnstone told CBC thatAll In A Day Wednesday.
Johnstone says this is the fourth time in the last six months that she has been bullied online.
She said that the social media harassment turned into dozens of hateful emails that used her name and told her to hurt herself.
Hershey ‘stood by’ he
Johnstone said that Hershey helped her get ready for possible backlash and has been there for her ever since.
Johnstone said, “They’ve stood by me in the campaign.” “That means a great deal.”
Johnstone said that the personal attacks haven’t stopped her from advocating.
“It sends a message for young trans women and girls to see these chocolate bars with my face on them,” she said.
“They won’t be able to stop me from talking because this work is so important.”
Helping hands are “stretched very thin.
On Wednesday, nearly 200 Canadian groups signed a statement that said “trans women are essential to gender equality.”
The CEO of the YWCA in Hamilton, Medora Uppal, said thatAll In A Daythat many of the trans women she works with have been hurt, sexually assaulted, or are dealing with depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts.
Uppal said, “People are in real danger and harm.”
The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity’s manager of communications and advocacy, Jaime Sadgrove, also toldAll In A Day that there are gaps in Canada when it comes to helping trans people.
They said, “Here in Ottawa, our local queer and trans community center, Kind Space, does amazing work, but they’re very busy.”
Here’s where to get help if you or someone you know is having trouble:
- Talk Suicide Canada1-833-456-4566 (phone) | 45645 (text between 4 p.m. and midnight ET).
- Kids Help Phone Number: 1-800-668-6868 Live chat with a counselor atthe website.
- Association for the Prevention of Suicide in Canada:Find a 24-hour crisis centre.
- This guide from the Center for Mental Health and Addictionshows how to talk to someone about suicide when you’re worried about them.