Trans activist won't be shut up by backlash to Hershey campaign - Action News
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Ottawa

Trans activist won't be shut up by backlash to Hershey campaign

Ottawa's Fae Johnstone says she's not going anywhere after facing a barrage of online harassment for her role in a Hershey Canada campaign for International Women's Day.

Ottawa's Fae Johnstone is featured on International Women's Day chocolate bars

Fae Johnstone, the executive director of the LGBT consultancy firm Wisdom2Action who is a trans educator and activist, said the spread of this kind of messaging spread gives licence for homophobes and transphobes to act on their hate.
Fae Johnstone, executive director of the LGBTQ consultancy firm Wisdom2Action, says she will continue to pursue her advocacy despite online harassment. (Joseph Tunney/CBC)

An Ottawa-based transgenderrights advocate says she's not going anywhereafter facing a barrage of online harassment for her role in a Hershey Canada campaign for International Women's Day.

Fae Johnstone, a 27-year-old trans woman, was one of five women featured onlimited-edition chocolate bars.

After learning about Johnstone's involvement, some social media userspersonally attacked Johnstoneandcalled for a Hersheyboycott.

"The tone of this campaign is not pushing a trans agenda. It's celebrating women and girls and all of their diversity," Johnstone told CBC's All In ADay Wednesday.

Johnstone says the online harassment is the fourth time in six months she's faced a "dogpile" on social media.

That social media harassment translated into dozens of hateful emails targeting her identity and encouraging self-harm, she said.

Hershey 'stood by' her

Johnstone said Hershey prepared her for potential blowbackand has continued to support her since.

"They've stood by my presence in the campaign," Johnstone said. "That really means a lot."

A woman holds up a bar with her image on it.
Johnstone holds the new HER for SHE bar with her image. (Hershey's Canada)

Despite the personal attacks, Johnstone said she's undeterred from pursuing her advocacy.

"To have young trans women and girls see these chocolate bars and to see me on them that sends a message," she said.

"They're not going to shut me upbecause this work is so important."

Support resources 'stretched very thin'

Nearly 200 Canadianorganizationssigned a statement Wednesday saying"there's no gender equality without trans women."

Medora Uppal, CEO of the YWCA in Hamilton, told All In ADay that many of the trans women she works with have been injured, sexually assaulted or are dealing with depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation.

"People are in real harm and risk," Uppal said.

Jaime Sadgrove, manager of communications and advocacy for The Canadian Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity, also told All In ADay thatgaps in support for trans people exist all over Canada.

"Herein Ottawa, our local queer and trans community centreKind Space[does] incredible work, but they're stretched very thin," they said.


If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help:

With files from CBC Radio's All In A Day

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