Yesterday, nearly 100 organizations across Canada sent a letter to the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, to express the critical importance of ensuring that vulnerable sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or sex characteristics (SOGIESC) communities are included in actions undertaken by the Government of Canada to address the COVID-19 public health crisis. The letter comes just one day after the Prime Minister announced additional supports for organizations such as Kids Help Phone and New Horizons who are working to support vulnerable community members across Canada. It also comes the same week Egale will be releasing the numbers from a joint survey with Innovative research Group that, through our partnership was able to include LGBTQI2S people in a nationwide survey to assess the needs of people in Canada during the COVID-19 health crisis. Our communities continue to be among the most vulnerable in Canada. During this time of uncertainty amid a global pandemic, supporting 2SLGBTQI communities continues to be more important than ever. Despite many gaps in data, we know that 2SLGBTQI people continue to face significant discrimination in all areas of life. From barriers to accessing healthcare and mental health services to facing higher rates of homelessness, poverty, and social isolation — one thing is evident, our community needs support now more than ever. Although these are difficult times for many, we want to remind all of you that we are continuing to advocate with you for your rights and needs. We will get through this together. See the full letter at https://egale.ca/egale-in-action/covid-19-2slgbtqi-cta/ | |
Helen Kennedy, Executive Director | |
