Egale Canada prepares for an emotional response following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Apology to the LGBTQ2S community tomorrow afternoon

Ottawa (Nov. 27, 2017) – Egale Canada will be on Parliament Hill tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 p.m. EST as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivers a long awaited apology to the LGBTQI2S community. For decades, the Government of Canada has systemically discriminated against sexual orientation and gender identity minorities; tomorrow is an opportunity to begin the healing process together.

While the apology is anticipated to focus on the mass purge of LGBTQ2S public service workers (government employees, military personnel and more) Egale’s Just Society Report: Grossly Indecent –submitted to the government last year requesting a national apology – emphasizes that discrimination towards the LGBTQ2S community in Canada extends far beyond ‘the purge’ and into the policies and laws of Canada.

“The LGBTQI2S global family will be watching our Prime Minister tomorrow as he stands before some of the surviving victims and acknowledges our country’s historic state sponsored homophobia and transphobia against it’s own people,” said Helen Kennedy, Executive Director at Egale Canada. “This has been a long, painful journey for many and it is my hope that the apology will reach beyond the surface and into the hearts of all LGBTQI2S community members in Canada.”

In the days leading up to the announcement it has been evident that the air in the LGBTQI2S community is filled with hope and anticipation. Egale Canada is looking forward to a better future for the LGBTQI2S community, one without homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and all other forms of oppression so that every person can achieve their full potential, free from hatred and bias.

Stay connected on the latest news and updates:
@EgaleCanada | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Subscribe to our Newsletter

About Egale Canada

Egale works to improve the lives of LGBTQI2S (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex and Two-Spirit) people in Canada and to enhance the global response to LGBTQI2S issues. Egale achieves this by informing policy, inspiring cultural change and promoting human rights and inclusion through research, education and community engagement. Egale’s vision is a Canada, and ultimately a world, without homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and all other forms of oppression so that every person can achieve their full potential, free from hatred and bias.

-30-

For more information on Egale Canada please contact:
Jennifer Boyce
Officer, Strategic Communications and Media Relations at Egale Canada
647-404-7156
jboyce@egale.ca