We are currently excluded from federal hate propaganda laws, making it perfectly legal to promote hatred against our communities;
In addition, gay-bashers are often able to rely on the discredited ‘homosexual panic’ defence, claiming they were justified in committing murder because the victim ‘came on’ to them;
In 1999, Justice Minister Anne McLellan said she would make “necessary changes” to the Criminal Code to protect gays and lesbians under hate propaganda laws “in the coming months”. She has done nothing;
NDP MP Svend Robinson recently introduced a Private Member’s Bill to include sexual orientation within federal hate crimes laws;
Justice Minister Anne McLellan has said she will now re-consider the issue, but needs to “consult” with provincial Ministers.
THE TIME FOR TALK IS PAST!
ACT NOW TO HOLD MINISTER McLELLAN TO HER COMMITMENT!
Please phone, write, fax or e-mail the Justice Minister today!
Tell her it’s time to take action to protect lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people from hatred and violence;
Ask when she will be amending the Criminal Code to include lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people within the hate propaganda provisions;
Ask when she will reform provocation law so that gay-bashers can no longer rely on the discredited ‘homosexual panic’ defence to justify violence against members of our communities.
You can contact the Minister of Justice (postage free) c/o:
The Hon. Anne McLellan, PC, MP
Minister of Justice
House of Commons,
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6
Ph: 613-992-4524
Fax: 613-996-4516
E-mail: McLellan.A@parl.gc.ca
Let EGALE know what response you get: