Greens Celebrate International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

The Green Party has a vision of a Canada that is free from discrimination, including people having the right to live their lives without discrimination for their sexual orientation. “We must be vigilant to ensure that everyone’s rights are respected in legislation and in practice,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May (MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands).

“As Canadians, we can be proud that our great country was one of the first to sanction same-sex marriage. As Greens, we are proud that we were the first federal party to officially support the inclusion of same-sex couples in civil marriage.”

“Now, we must continue to improve. It is still unacceptable that trans-gendered people are rarely even considered when laws and public policies are created. We still have to make changes,” said May.

The Green vision is of a world free from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, a world in which difference is accepted and celebrated.

Green Party MPs will:

  • Amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to explicitly include gender identity and gender expression as protected grounds of discrimination.
  • Amend the Criminal Code to include gender identity and gender expression in the hate sentencing and hate propaganda provisions.
  • Support public education to end prejudice and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • End the targeting by Canada Customs of LGBT bookstores and other LGBT businesses.
  • Ensure Canada advocates internationally for an end to state-sanctioned discrimination and violence against LGBT people.