On the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, federal lawmakers are drawing attention to a rise in hate and violence directed at members of the LGBTQ2S+ community in Canada, while facing calls from activists to act. to address it.
In a series of statements pointing to the harsh reality facing many queer people around the world, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, some cabinet ministers and Conservative MPs also pointed to violence and hate, particularly directed at in recent months to members of the trans community. community and towards drag performers in this country.
“Everyone should be able to be who they are and love who they love, free from discrimination and hate…But people in the 2SLGBTQI+ community, particularly transgender people, still face a crisis of targeted violence in Canada and around the world.” , said. Trudeau.
Hate crimes against the LGBTQ2S+ community are on the rise, according to Canadians United Against Hate. In a statement issued on Wednesday calling on governments to do more than “word the word” on the issue, the group noted the latest Statistics Canada hate crime report which noted a 64 percent increase in hate crimes targeting people based on their sexual orientation.
LGBTQ2S+ advocacy group Momentum issued a call on Wednesday, imploring the federal government to act on what they called a “staggering rise” in hatred that the “federal government has failed to take decisive action.”
The group has released a list of ways it wants the government to take the lead, including appointing a special representative to address and prevent anti-LGBTQ2S+ hate, funding grants to address misinformation targeting queer and trans communities , and ensuring that anti-LGBTQ2S+ attacks are addressed in the next national action plan to combat hate.
In his statement, Singh also pointed to gaps in access to gender-affirming care in some provinces, book bans, and violent protests and threats against drag story time events.
“New Democrats recommit to standing up to hate and discrimination wherever it occurs. Together, we can work to end bigotry against 2SLGBTQI+ people and create a world where everyone can be who they are and love who they love safely.” and dignity,” Singh said. .
In the last few months alone, protests at drag lunches and drag story time events across Canada have resulted in clashes between participants and protesters, some required police intervention, while other events had to be canceled either postponed due to security concerns caused by violent threats made.
During an event just off Parliament Hill, advocates made further calls for the federal government to play a bigger role in tackling the problem both at home and abroad.
“Canada is one of the most respected countries in the world, and [the] Canada’s opinion matters a lot in global affairs. But respect for Canada is meaningless, until the same respect is given to every human being, in every corner of this world,” Ghana’s LGBT Rights Director Kofi Donkor said, addressing a crowd of politicians, policy experts, diplomats, academics and advocacy groups.
Minister for Women, Gender Equality and Youth Marci Ien was unable to attend the event but in an earlier statement called the rise in hate seen at home and around the world “unprecedented”.
“We see this through the rise of anti-2SLGBTQI+ legislation in other countries and the growing wave of hate and violence directed against these communities. Here in Canada, we have seen protests aimed at shutting down drag events and queer spaces. These events, including the drag queen tales, are an opportunity for community and allies to come together in a safe and inclusive space. Nothing more, nothing less,” said Ien.
“We also know that homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia have devastating impacts, creating increased risks for mental health issues, unemployment, homelessness, and bullying. We must come together as a society to move beyond tolerance and toward acceptance.”
Focusing on the international reality of LGBTQ2S+ people, in a joint statement, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan and International Trade Minister Mary Ng said there are still more than 60 countries that criminalize people because of their sexual orientation or gender. identity, and 11 still impose the death penalty for same-sex relationships.
“Never before has the global landscape for 2SLGBTQI+ people been so fluid and ever-changing,” read the statement issued by Global Affairs Canada. “Several countries have made significant progress in decriminalizing same-sex relationships, prohibiting discrimination, criminalizing hate crimes, and recognizing transgender people. However, there have been legislative setbacks and politicians in all regions of the world, and hate and violence against 2SLGBTQI+ people also happens very often. often.”
Expressing concern that the ongoing attacks “threaten to reverse decades of progress”, the ministers noted a commitment 2019 spend $30 million in funding over five years to support Canadian LGBTQ2 and intersex organizations in their efforts to collaborate with partners in developing countries.
While other policy steps taken since 2015 to improve protections were noted, including unveiling Canada’s first LGBTQ2S+ “action plan” last year and to criminalize conversion therapy, none of the statements from federal government officials included announcements of new support to address the increase in targeted attacks
In addition, inequalities continue to be faced as a result of high-profile federal policies, such as restrictions on gay and bisexual men who want to donate sperm or organs.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who in other contexts has sounded the alarm about an increase in violent attacks in Canada, it did not issue a statement. However, Conservative MPs Michelle Rempel Garner and Scott Aitchison posted tweets.
“Even in Canada, LGBTQI+ people still experience higher levels of violence than others,” posted Rempel Barn. “On this International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, let us recommit to eliminating hate, violence and discrimination.”
“You belong. You matter. It doesn’t matter who you are. It doesn’t matter who you love,” Aitchison said.