If the news about the systemic discrimination rooted in racism and homophobia at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) has taught us anything, it is that our fight for justice for LGBTQI2S people is far from over. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
 
 
 
 
 

June 23, 2020

If the news about the systemic discrimination rooted in racism and homophobia at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) has taught us anything, it is that our fight for justice for LGBTQI2S people is far from over.

The CMHR was established to give a voice to those who have suffered and who continue to suffer discrimination and human rights violations in Canada. It was created to share our truth, stories of success and the rights that our community, and many of you reading this here today, have fought for and achieved.

Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalization of homosexuality. Since 1969, our community has won many court battles and strived to create a more inclusive culture. From ending discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation to achieving marriage equality Canada-wide in 2005, adding gender expression and gender identity as protected grounds to the Canadian Human Rights Act, and the Federal Apology for years of state-sponsored systemic oppression targetting LGBTQI2S public servants and military personnel. We have collectively fought for every right our community has today, and we are still fighting.

We are fighting with and for our Black, Indigenous and People of Colour LGBTQI2S communities who are disproportionately impacted across the board. We are fighting to end the blood ban and conversion therapy, we are fighting for intersex human rights, trans visibility protections and inclusion, health care access, sports inclusion, workplace inclusion, safer schools, and we are fighting for our seniors who are being forced back into the closet when they enter long-term care. There is so much more.

It is disgraceful that our highest institution of human rights has been hiding our truth for almost as long as it has existed and that they have gotten away with it for so long. Having only opened in 2014, the CMHR has admitted to hiding LGBTQI2S history upon request until 2017 (and likely longer). If we know anything about discrimination, it's that it doesn't end with policy, that is merely a starting point.

The recent apology from CMHR executives and proposed actions are a starting point. However, the lack of leadership and shameful behaviour from this institution has left us with the painful reminder of just how much work our community has left to do - from courts to culture - if we are to create a Canada and a world where everyone can achieve their full potential free from hatred and bias. 

We will not be silenced.


Helen Kennedy, Executive Director

Egale in the News 
 

Feds ask for five-month extension on legislation due to COVID-19 | The Guardian 

 

The Best Work You May Never See: "Coming Out" Film | Shoot 

 

Messages of community: Pandemic hasn't hindered connections | The Starphoenix

 

‘It was scary’: Social worker on coming out in Dufferin County | Orangeville News

 

LGBTQI2S News 

 

UN rights expert calls for global conversion therapy ban | Pink News

 

LGBTQ activist Sarah Hegazi, exiled in Canada after torture in Egypt, dead at 30 | CBC

 

Canadian Museum for Human Rights allegations of racism, homophobia | CBC

 

 

Canada’s queer rights movement exists because of Black people | Global News

 

'I started crying, I started dancing': Rencontre student wins $100K scholarship | CBC

 

Anishinaabe two-spirit judge sworn in as N.S. Supreme Court’s newest justice | Global 

 

When it comes to Pride, size doesn’t matter | Xtra News

 

Queer Prom: Highlights

Last week, on June 18, we hosted a virtual queer prom for youth across Canada on Instagram Live and IGTV. Featuring an Instagram takeover by Priyanka from the upcoming Drag Race Canada, youth joined in for performances and discussions that included topics like Black Lives Matter, Pride, and inclusion. We even had a surprise visit from Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada!

Check out @egalecanada on Instagram to see more

 

'Coming Out' Video Awareness Campaign 

Thank you to our partners at TAXI Agency for creating this video in-kind with us

Pour cette #Fierté2020, nous voulons attirer attention à la discrimination que confronte la communauté LGBTQI2S au Canada et autour du monde. Personne ne devrait faire face au danger en sortir du placard, qu'il y ait ou non une pandémie. Ensemble, nous pouvons y arriver.

Regardez ici: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3xoOCkTCNE&feature=youtu.be

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This #Pride2020, we want to raise awareness about the discrimination that the LGBTQI2S community still faces in Canada and beyond. Coming out should be safe for everyone, regardless of whether there is a pandemic. Let’s get there together.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCuEaJpBHXI

 

 

Get the first look at our Pride Inside 2020 Guide! 

This is your guide for having #PrideInside this summer (and all year). With resources, virtual workplace inclusion training, shareable online content, and more Egale’s Pride Inside Guide is a go-to resource for engaging your team and connecting with your community. After all, Pride starts from the inside for each and every one of us!

 
 

New Research Study on Access to Justice for LGBTQI2S People

Egale is seeking participants to interview in an effort to create a clearer picture of what LGBTQI2S peoples experiences with serious legal issues look like across Canada.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Participate in a National Survey

 
 
 
 
 
 

Emergency Community Support Fund Now Open!

Take our survey today!

The Government of Canada’s recently announced a $350M Emergency Community Support Fund as one of the rapid responses to COVID-19.

In an effort to track the rate of approval for applications that are focussed on support for the LGBTQI2S community, please complete this brief survey. The results will provide us with information to advocate for our community with the federal government and determine the success/decline ratio once decisions have been made.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Egale Canada Human Rights Trust
120 Carlton Street, Suite 217  | Toronto, Ontario M5A 4K2
416-964-7887 | [email protected]

Follow Us

Egale works to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex and two-spirit (LGBTQI2S) people in Canada and to enhance the global response to LGBTQI2S issues. Egale will achieve this by informing public policy, inspiring cultural change, and promoting human rights and inclusion through research, education, and community engagement. Join us by supporting our work to improve the lives of all LGBTQI2S people.

 

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