This weekend, the Ontario Conservative party passed a Policy Resolution R4 to debate gender identity. Resolution R4 also attempts to remove gender identity from schools and the curriculum. Not only is this an affront to human rights in Canada, but it is an outward act of transphobia and an attack on LGBTQI2S rights.
Gender identity is recognized and protected as a human right in Ontario and under the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code. It is protected for a reason. Trans people, and especially young trans and non-binary people, face a significant amount of discrimination on a daily basis.
Our 2011 survey on homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in Canadian secondary schools shows an overwhelming amount of discrimination towards young trans people.
- 90% of trans young people hear transphobic comments daily or weekly from other students ;
- A quarter (23%) of trans students reported hearing teachers use transphobic language daily or weekly;
- Nearly three quarters (74%) of trans students reported being verbally harassed about their gender expression.
Policy Resolution R4 is a malice imposition on the safety and well being of young trans and nonbinary people across Ontario. This type of attack and discrimination will not, and should not, be tolerated. Egale Canada has always stood up for the rights of LGBTQI2S people in Canada and we will continue to do so
Helen Kennedy
Executive Director, Egale Canada