A video clip of Canadian Member of Parliament Leah Gazan using the acronym "MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+" during a parliamentary address has ignited a firestorm of debate online. Gazan, a member of the New Democratic Party, used the term while discussing budget cuts affecting Indigenous women's organizations. The acronym stands for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual+.
The clip quickly went viral, amassing millions of views and drawing reactions from various corners, including tech billionaire Elon Musk. Many social media users mocked the lengthy acronym, comparing it to a Wi-Fi password, while others defended its use as a way to be inclusive and recognize diverse identities. Some critics argue that such expansive acronyms complicate communication and distract from important issues, while others maintain that inclusive language is necessary to raise awareness and address the unique challenges faced by intersecting communities.
The use of "MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+" reflects an effort to acknowledge the unique challenges faced by Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals, particularly in the context of violence. The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls has recognized this violence as a Canadian genocide, highlighting the disproportionate impact on Indigenous women and gender-diverse people. The acronym MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ seeks to account for the needs of Two-Spirit and gender-diverse peoples who experience similar challenges.
Despite the online speculation, the Canadian government has not officially adopted "MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+". The official acronym used by the Canadian government remains 2SLGBTQI+, which represents Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and additional people who identify as part of sexual and gender diverse communities. The "2S" recognizes Two-Spirit people as the first 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
