SUDBURY -- Kuppajo Espresso Bar in Downtown Sudbury was packed Wednesday afternoon as four MPP’s from the Ontario NDP ranks were on hand to support Sudbury’s LGBTQ2S+ community.

It was an opportunity for the politicians to show they care about the members of the community who have been subjected to harassment.

Sudbury MPP Jamie West told CTV News that he was approached by one of the individuals who was feeling harassed and wasn’t feeling safe to speak out. That’s when West reached out to other MPP’s to put Wednesday’s event together.

London North Centre MPP Terrance Kernaghan, who is the NDP critic for LGBTQ Issues, read the following statement from one of the victims:

"I have been involved in the local 2SLGBTQ community for almost 15 years. I’ve had to face my fair share of discrimination and hate, much like other members of my community and folks from other marginalized groups. However, over the past month, my friends and I have faced increased harassment ...at a level we haven’t seen in a while.

Members of the group have resorted to personal attacks, singling out the most politically active and vulnerable among us. They have targeted me through Facebook, Twitter, blog posts, and YouTube videos. They have posts that include my photo, my workplace, vulgar names, homophobic slurs, and vaguely worded threats. Some of these threats extended to my friends and family."

The statement went on to say a member of the harassing group came to an LGBTQ2S+ person’s workplace, and sent e-mails to the head of the workplace, attacking the employee’s personal character. The victim says there have also been verbal slurs on the street.

West said he was proud to see the coffee shop was packed, as it shows the community’s support, but at the same time, he says he is embarrassed about what’s going on in the city.

"I know it’s a small minority, but it’s like the old saying 'that a few rotten apples spoil the bunch.' This really is a city of love and I think that it’s important that in Sudbury that we show that we don’t want them to feel afraid in our community. We want them to feel the love and acceptance. We want them to know that we care about them," said West.

"Bullies will not silence me," said Vincent Bolt, the education manager for TG Innerselves. "They never have and they never will. So, it’s not going to stop me from doing what I’m doing. This is not anything new. I mean we’ve heard these voices on social media and the internet for years. So, we know bigots are out there. It’s disheartening to see that they feel emboldened and that part is really disappointing with all of the work that activists and allies have been doing over the years."

TG Innerselves is northern Ontario’s transgender social support group, and Bolt adds that if there are others out there experiencing situations like this, that supports are available.

"If you are struggling please come talk to us," said Bolt.