CUASA Statement on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2022

May 17, 2022

CUASA Statement on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2022

Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination faced by the LGBTQIA2S+ community. This date was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s declassification of homosexuality as a mental disorder on May 17, 1990.

This year, we recognize significant gains made in support of the LGBTQIA2S+ community in Canada, such as the federal law banning conversion therapy, and the recent announcement of plans to end the Canadian Blood Service’s homophobic blood ban.

However, we also recognize the significant work that still needs to be done to support people with people with diverse sexual orientations or gender identities and expressions. Statistics Canada reports that people belonging to sexual minority groups are almost three times more likely to experience violent victimization than heterosexual people. It also found that LGBTQ2+ Canadians may be more economically vulnerable during the pandemic.

CUASA pledges to always stand in solidarity with members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community and vows to continue to fight against homophobia and transphobia by advocating for social change and human rights for everyone.

To that end, we wish to remind members of the upcoming caucus meeting on May 24. We previously advertised this as a Trans and Nonbinary Caucus meeting. However, we wish to extend the invitation to any and all CUASA members who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, nonbinary, queer, intersex, asexual, Two-Spirit and/or Indigenous trans and nonbinary. We hope you will join us on Tuesday, May 24 from 3:00pm – 4:30pm. If you’re interested in joining or would like more information, please contact Max López (Research Officer for Equity) at [email protected].

Learn more about the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia at May17.org.