GATINEAU, QC, May 17, 2024
/CNW/ - The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender
Equality and Youth, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of
Health, and the Honourable Ya'ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health
and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, issued the
following statement today on this International Day Against
Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia:
"The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and
Biphobia was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence,
hate, and discrimination experienced by Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and additionally sexually
and gender-diverse (2SLGBTQI+) people.
Across the world, and here at home, we continue to see
unprecedented attacks on the rights of 2SLGBTQI+ people. Today, the
Government of Canada reaffirms its
commitment to support 2SLGBTQI+ communities who face
discrimination, hate, and violence based on their sexual
orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
We also know that homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia continue
to have devastating impacts, creating higher risks of mental health
issues, unemployment, homelessness, and harassment. We must come
together as a society to move beyond tolerance and towards
acceptance.
This year's theme "No one left behind: equality, freedom, and
justice for all" is a call for unity. Only through solidarity will
we create a world without injustice, where no one is left behind.
The Government of Canada is taking
historic action to build a safer, more inclusive future for
2SLGBTQI+ communities. The only way we can address this rise in
hate is together.
Now in its second year of implementation, the Federal
2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan aims to advance rights and equality for
2SLGBTQI+ people. This plan is helping to create a more equitable
Canada for 2SLGBTQI+
communities. It builds upon work to address the persisting
disparities faced by these communities.
The Government of Canada is
also developing the new Canada Action Plan on Combatting
Hate which includes addressing hate faced by 2SLGBTQI+
communities. This new action plan includes measures to address
hateful rhetoric and build safer and more inclusive communities. It
also aligns with the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan.
Budget 2024 proposed that Women and Gender Equality Canada
support 2SLGBTQI+ not-for-profit organizations by investing an
additional $12 million over five years, to be delivered
through the 2SLGBTQI+ Projects Funds to build and sustain community
resilience against hate and discrimination. An investment of
$3 million over two years will also help Women and Gender
Equality Canada support security needs for Pride festivals.
2SLGBTQI+ people are also more at risk of gender-based violence.
The National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence is a
strategic framework that underlines coordinated federal, provincial
and territorial commitment to support victims and survivors of
gender-based violence, as well as their families. The 10-year Plan
also aims to shift behaviours and actions to create a safer
Canada for everyone. The federal
contribution to the Plan is the federal Gender-based Violence
Strategy. Both the Strategy and the Plan include actions to address
gender-based violence experienced by 2SLGBTQI+ people.
The Government of Canada is
committed to reducing health inequities of queer and trans
communities. This includes funding for tailored programs that aim
to promote mental health, reduce harm related to substance use,
provide access to treatment and care for sexually transmitted
infections, reduce barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive
health care, including gender-affirming care, as well as strengthen
health research in these fields.
Join us today, and every day, by speaking out against hate and
all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender
identity, and gender expression. Together, we can make this country
more inclusive and safer, so everyone can be open about who they
are and who they love."
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