GLBT Issues
May 22, 2012
2012 Pride Celebrations
Pride arose from mass demonstrations calling for an end to discrimination and a promotion of equality for LGBT communities. Although many Pride events across Canada have become celebrations, the message remains that of equal rights.
By using public space to promote inclusion, Pride offers the opportunity for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) communities to increase their visibility, build community and celebrate sexual diversity and gender expression.
Pride events are open to everyone and members are encouraged to participate in events within their communities.
For a complete listing of the 2012 Pride celebrations across Ontario
In Solidarity,
Karen Church, PSAC Ontario Council, Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, and Transgender Members Representative |
Sharon DeSousa,
|
May 16, 2012
May 17 – International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
May 17th 2012 marks the 10th annual International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia. This year’s theme is: Sexual Diversity in the Workplace, It pays off!
May 17, 2012 Flyer and May 17 Poster
This year’s campaign serves to highlight the positive aspects of sexual diversity in the workplace and highlights the benefits of inclusion for employers, organizations, institutions and workers.
PSAC will continue to stand in solidarity with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) communities for equal rights and an end to discrimination of all forms, including in the workplace.
Part of the ongoing work of creating a more equal and inclusive society is ensuring that our laws contain protections for LGBT communities. PSAC is supporting an NDP Private Member's Bill (C-279), which would amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code to add protections for gender identity and gender expression.
PSAC will continue to advocate for LGBT rights through campaigns, political lobbying and at the bargaining table to create a more inclusive society where all people are treated equally.
In Solidarity,
Sharon DeSousa
REVP Ontario
Public Service Alliance of Canada
(416) 485-3558 ext 231
Fax No. (416) 485-8607
Email: desouss@psac.com
May 15, 2012
PRIDE Committee Meeting on May 30th, 2012
May 9, 2012
Toby’s Act – Amending the Ontario Human Rights Code
On Tuesday, February 21st, NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo tabled for the fourth time “Toby’s Act”, a private members bill that seeks to amend the Ontario Human Rights Code to include “gender identity” and “gender expression” as protected statuses.
All members across Ontario are urged to support the “Toby’s Act” bill and let Premier McGuinty, Andrea Horwath (Leader, Ontario New Democrat Party) and Tim Hudak (Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario) that it is vital to include “gender identity” and “gender expression” in the Human Rights Code.
Please sign the petition: http://chn.ge/A4XiMo
For every signature, an e-mail will be sent to Premier McGuinty, Andrea Horwath and Tim Hudak letting them know that you support the Toby Act and that you hope that they and their parties will do the same.
Together, we can make Ontario a more inclusive place to live.
In Solidarity,
Sharon DeSousa
REVP Ontario
Public Service Alliance of Canada
(416) 485-3558 ext 231
Fax No. (416) 485-8607
Email: desouss@psac.com
April 24, 2012
Guelph Pride - May 5 – 12, 2012
This year, Guelph Pride will take place from Monday, May 5 to Sunday, May 12, 2012.
Pride week hosts a variety of events including a Pride Symposium, a café style Teen Pride event and a movie night at the Bookshelf Cinemas.
On Monday May 7th at noon the honourable Mayor Farbridge will be a guest speaker at the Flag-Raising Ceremony at Guelph City Hall. The rainbow flag will fly in recognition of the diversity of the rainbow communities, recognizing the struggles and celebrating the successes of these communities.
For more information, check out our Pride Week Events!
guelphpride@gmail.com www.guelphpride.outontheshelf.ca
November 18, 2011
Transgender Day of Remembrance
On November 20th, 2011, is the 13th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. This is a day to reflect on all the victims of transphobia; the hatred or fear of people whose gender identity and expression does not match their birth sex. The transgender community often encounters abuse, violence and discrimination because of transphobia.
However, this day is also about creating a movement that will help to change public perceptions and lay the foundations of dialogue, understanding and acceptance. No person should experience violence in any form or discrimination because of who they are.
PSAC is an advocate of equal rights for the transgender community. We demand that gender identity and gender expression be added to the Canadian Human Rights Act as well as the federal hate crimes legislation.
PSAC has worked through collective bargaining to ensure equal access to all benefits for our transgender members. We are committed to extending our reach beyond the realm of our workplaces into the broader political and social spheres. We will continue to lobby governments and organize campaigns to promote equality for transgender people.
We encourage all of our members to help raise awareness about transphobia and to pay their respects on November 20th for the individuals that have lost their lives due to hate. Every person is entitled to be treated fairly and with respect, intolerance and discrimination have no place in Canada.
Resources:
- Read Trans Day of Remembrance an article by PSAC member Kate Hart, explaining why the Trans Day of Remembrance is so important for her.
- Download the Workers in Transition guide from the Canadian Labour Congress – an excellent resource for union representatives.
- Print and distribute PSAC’s trans human rights pamphlet (PDF), calling for gender identity and gender expression to be added to federal human rights legislation.
- EGALE Canada’s “Every Class in Every School - The first national climate survey on homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia in Canadian schools” - Final Report - May 2011
In Solidarity,
| Sharon DeSousa REVP Ontario Public Service Alliance of Canada (416) 485-3558 ext 231 Fax No. (416) 485-8607 Email: desouss@psac.com |
Karen Church, PSAC Ontario Regional Council Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, and Transgender Members Representative Email: karen.church@ciu-sdi.ca |
October 11, 2011
National Coming Out Day – October 11
National Coming Out Day was first established in 1988 and is celebrated worldwide on October 11th every year. “Coming Out” is an expression that refers to members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities disclosing their sexual orientation and/or gender identities to their family, friends and/or coworkers. Due to the stigma LGBT communities continue to face, the decision to “come out” can be a momentous one.
Yet, “coming out” is vital to breaking down barriers, since visibility of the LGBT communities helps to combat discrimination. “By LGBT people coming out and ending their silence they send a political message that they are part of Canadian society and deserve the same basic rights as all Canadians.” states Karen Church, PSAC Ontario Council – LGBT Member Representative.
Often people who discriminate against LGBT people may not realize that they most likely know and care about someone who belongs to these communities.
National Coming Out Day represents an opportunity for LGBT people to live openly, without having to feel ashamed of their identity.
PSAC stands with LGBT communities in fighting intolerance and injustice and in working to create an inclusive society for all.
PSAC Ontario celebrates 2011 Toronto Pride Video
In Solidarity,
Sharon DeSousa
REVP Ontario
Public Service Alliance of Canada
(416) 485-3558 ext 231
Fax No. (416) 485-8607
Email: desouss@psac.com