Apr 10, 2026 minute read

A Canadian Member of Parliament is facing widespread backlash after using a lengthy cluster of an acronym during a speech. The clip spread like wildfire online drawing millions of views, with most having no clue what they were even hearing.

The clip came after MP Leah Gazan referenced “MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+” while speaking about violence and funding cuts affecting Indigenous organizations, according to the New York Post. In the clip, she said, “deal with the ongoing genocide of MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+. This is abhorrent.”

The term, unfamiliar to many and certainly a complete unknown outside of Canada, became the focal point of debate rather than the issue of the genocide of MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Within hours, social media users began sharing the video widely, with some expressing that they had no idea what the acronym meant.

The clip was posted on X by a user identified as Samantha Smith, who wrote, “’MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+’ The Canadian government just dropped this absolute monstrosity (and no, it isn’t satire).”

Elon Musk also responded to the viral post, writing, “Canada is cooked.” In a follow-up comment, he added, “I guess there are still some letters left in the alphabet.”

Other users piled on, with reactions ranging from sarcasm to criticism. One user wrote, “At some point, the gravitational mass of this alphabet soup will collapse under its own weight,” while others questioned whether messaging like this helps communicate serious issues effectively.

Some users attempted to explain the acronym, which stands for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual people. The term has been used in official government contexts, including national reports addressing violence against Indigenous communities.

Others defended the terminology, arguing that it reflects an effort to include multiple affected groups. One user wrote, “It is a group that searches for missing and murdered marginalised women within Canada. Why, because someone needs to do it.”