- 93% of industry professionals believe 2SLGBTQIA+ representation on screen is important, yet only 41% feel Canadian media workplaces are inclusive for 2SLGBTQIA+ colleagues.
- 88% of surveyed professionals agree that 2SLGBTQIA+ characters are often defined solely by their identity.
- 6 free 30-minute video modules available to train professionals in allyship skills.
Experts would likely conclude that while the Canadian screen sector values 2SLGBTQIA+ representation on screen, significant gaps remain in workplace inclusion, particularly for transgender professionals, and targeted training programs like 'Pride in Production' are essential to bridge this divide.
Pride in Production: A New Blueprint for Inclusion in Canada's Screen Sector
TORONTO, ON – June 18, 2026 – Pink Triangle Press (PTP), a cornerstone of Canada’s 2SLGBTQIA+ media landscape for over five decades, today launched a major national initiative aimed at fundamentally reshaping the workplace culture of the country's screen industries. Backed by the Canada Media Fund (CMF), the “Pride in Production” program delivers a free, research-backed training curriculum designed to foster safer and more inclusive environments for 2SLGBTQIA+ professionals in film, television, streaming, and gaming.
Launched during Pride Month, the initiative, officially titled “2SLGBTQIA+ Allyship Skills for Screen Professionals,” is not merely a symbolic gesture. It is a direct, tactical response to stark data revealing a profound disconnect between the industry's stated values and the lived experiences of its queer and trans workers.
Beyond Representation: A Critical Look at Workplace Reality
The impetus for the program stems from PTP's landmark 2024 “Pink Paper,” one of the most comprehensive studies ever conducted on 2SLGBTQIA+ workplace conditions in Canadian media. The research, first presented at the Banff World Media Festival, uncovered a troubling paradox: while an overwhelming 93 per cent of industry professionals believe 2SLGBTQIA+ representation on screen is important, only 41 per cent feel that Canadian media workplaces are actually inclusive for their 2SLGBTQIA+ colleagues.
The report painted a picture of an industry where on-screen diversity efforts have not translated into backstage safety and support. The gap was most acute for transgender professionals, who reported feeling the least safe in their work environments. The research also highlighted profound underrepresentation and stereotypical portrayals, with groups like Two-Spirit, trans, bi+, intersex, and asexual individuals being nearly invisible on screen. A staggering 88 per cent of surveyed professionals agreed that when 2SLGBTQIA+ characters do appear, they are often defined solely by their identity.
“Our Pink Paper research showed strong industry support for 2SGLBTQIA+ representation within content and a good understanding of why this matters societally. It also highlighted significant gaps regarding lived experiences in Canadian screen industry workplaces,” said David Walberg, CEO of Pink Triangle Press. “Working with industry partners, with their strong commitment, and with the support of the Canada Media Fund, we are pleased to share new tools to support closing the gap and ensuring that 2SLGBTQIA+ professionals feel supported, respected and safe in their day-to-day work.”
Forging Allyship: The 'Pride in Production' Toolkit
At the heart of the initiative is a practical, skills-based training program developed in collaboration with AlexiMK Consulting and a coalition of influential industry leaders. The curriculum is delivered through six 30-minute video modules, hosted by actors Kathleen Munroe and Mariah Inger, and is available free of charge to any screen industry organization in Canada.
The modules are designed to move beyond abstract concepts and equip professionals with tangible skills. Core topics include foundational inclusion language, the principles of intersectionality, practical workplace advocacy, inclusive leadership strategies, and respectful workplace practices. By focusing on concrete actions, the program aims to empower individuals at all levels—from production assistants to executives—to become active allies and contribute to a healthier culture.
The Canada Media Fund, a key financial supporter, views the initiative as essential to the sector's vitality.
“Creating 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive workplaces isn't just about fairness -- it helps Canada's screen industries do their best work,” said Mathieu Chantelois, Executive Vice President of Communications, Strategy and Public Affairs at the CMF. “When people feel comfortable being themselves at work, it leads to more creativity, and stronger stories. This toolkit is a useful resource to help make that happen.”
The Innovation of Inclusion: Fueling Canada's Creative Engine
The broad coalition of early supporters—including executives from Shaftesbury, Antica Productions, Blink49, and the Canadian Media Producers Association—underscores a growing consensus: inclusion is a strategic imperative. The argument championed by the program's backers is that a psychologically safe and respectful workplace is a prerequisite for creative risk-taking and innovation.
When professionals do not have to expend energy hiding their identity or bracing for microaggressions, they can contribute more fully to the creative process. This authenticity, in turn, leads to more nuanced, compelling, and globally resonant storytelling. In a competitive international market, the ability to tell diverse stories that reflect the real world is a significant cultural and commercial advantage. By addressing the systemic barriers identified in the “Pink Paper”—such as a lack of 2SLGBTQIA+ decision-makers and a tendency toward tokenism—the initiative aims to unlock this untapped creative potential.
From Protest to Policy: A Legacy of Transformation
For Pink Triangle Press, “Pride in Production” represents a significant evolution in its long history of advocacy. Founded in 1971 as the publisher of the pioneering gay liberation newspaper The Body Politic, PTP has been at the forefront of queer journalism and community-building for over 50 years. Today, it is best known for its digital publication Xtra Magazine.
This new initiative marks a strategic expansion from documenting and analyzing community issues to actively building solutions within other powerful industries. It follows other recent research-driven projects, including the “Pink Awards” to celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ excellence and a planned “Pink Paper on Health.” By leveraging its credibility and research capabilities, PTP is moving from advocacy to direct intervention, providing the tools for other sectors to enact meaningful change.
The collaborative, open-access model of “Pride in Production” is designed for wide adoption. Organizations and individuals can now access the English-language curriculum through the PTP website, with a French-language version set to launch in July 2026 to ensure the program's impact is felt across the entire country.