Journalists Lyric and Asher Fergusson run a travel site dedicated to safety. In early March, they published a report called “The 203 Worst (and Safest) Countries for LGBTQ+ Travel in 2023”.
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The journalist took an in-depth look at LGBTQ+ rights in each country. After more than 400 hours of research, they reviewed individual country laws and collected data from a variety of international sources to create an “LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index” that will help travelers find the safest countries in the world.
The list of safest countries is based on 10 factors related to LGBTQ+ safety, including protections against discrimination, the criminalization of violence, and the illegality of same-sex relationships.
Canada topped the 2023 list as the world’s most LGBTQ+ country for the third year in a row. “Canada has a great legislative record for LGBTQ+ rights. They were one of the first countries to legalize same-sex marriage, have constitutional protections against discrimination, and most Canadians report that it is a safe place to live for gays and lesbians,” Fergusson said.
LGBTQ+ communities in Canada
Cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal have some of the largest LGBTQ+ communities and are ranked as the friendliest cities in Canada.
Toronto has the largest gay community in Canada, and Church and Wellesley Village is part of Toronto’s most vibrant and populous LGBTQ+ neighborhoods. Toronto Pride is known for its celebrations and festivities that celebrate the unity and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community.
Montreal is another city with a large gay community. The city has Montreal Pride, the “Gay Village” and many same-sex bars and clubs. Since 1988, Montreal has hosted the LGBTQ+ film festival that educates and raises awareness about the community.
Vancouver’s LGBTQ+ community is located around Davie Street and Commercial Drive in Grandview, which is home to Qmunity, a center that offers youth and senior programs, a Trans ID clinic, employment support, and counseling programs for the LGBTQ+ community.
Canada’s highest ranking
Factors that contributed to Canada’s highest ranking include LGBTQ+ workplace protections, joint and second-parent adoption recognition, and transgender legal identity laws.
The highest ranking highlights Canada’s commitment to creating an inclusive society for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. This is especially important for newcomers to Canada who may come from countries where LGBTQ+ rights are not protected and who may be looking for a safe and welcoming environment.
Canada has several immigration policies that recognize the rights of LGBTQ+ people. Same-sex marriages and relationships are eligible for family class sponsorship and economic class immigrants they may be accompanied by their same-sex partner. In addition, spouses or same-sex partners of Canadians or permanent residents may be eligible for a open work permit while your application for permanent residence is being processed.
Canada has a history of providing protection and helping to resettle the world’s most vulnerable groups, including those in the LBGTQ+ community. Canada Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) encourages the sponsorship of refugees who face violence and persecution because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or HIV status.
One of the ways IRCC supports the LGBTQ+ community is provide financial support to the Rainbow Refugee Society, which works with sponsorship agreement holders to sponsor LGBTQ+ refugees to come to Canada.
Additionally, IRCC provides resources and access links to national organizations working to promote and protect sexual orientation rights. For example, charity eagle canada has helped advance gay and lesbian equality by lobbying for the addition of sexual orientation as a prohibited ground of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act and by intervening in the Supreme Court of Canada for recognition of interpersonal relationships of the same sex.
Canada’s highest ranking demonstrates the country’s commitment to LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion, and the country’s continuing efforts to create a more inclusive society for all people.
reference: www.cicnews.com