Government of Canada announces support for 2SLGBTQI+ communities in Nova Scotia
HALIFAX, NS, Oct. 6, 2023 /CNW/ - Every Canadian deserves to fully participate in all spheres of society, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Too often, 2SLGBTQI+ communities face discrimination, violence, and barriers, which prevents them from actively participating in the social, political, and economic aspects of society.
Today, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, on behalf of the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, announced over $175,000 to support 2SLGBTQI+ communities in Nova Scotia. The two projects are as follows:
- The Truro Pride Society received $100,000 to develop a certification process for service providers to support them in creating inclusive, affirming, and trauma-informed approaches that serve the 2SLGBTQI+ communities in the counties of Colchester, Cumberland, and Pictou.
- Gender Affirming Care Nova Scotia received over $75,000 to address legal barriers to transitioning in Nova Scotia and to develop a comprehensive education program regarding queer youth policy and governance education.
Since the announcement of the 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan, the Government of Canada continues to prioritize building a safer and more inclusive country by supporting initiatives, such as this, to support 2SLGBTQI+ communities. These projects will help support community organizations to play a key role in advancing rights and equality for Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and additional sexually and gender-diverse people in Canada.
"Governments at all levels need to step up to support community organizations that serve 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians. In Halifax West, Gender Affirming Care Nova Scotia provides much-needed services to our local community, and I am grateful for the work they do. In Truro and Colchester County, the Truro Pride Society works throughout the year to foster inclusion, counter intolerance, and help Nova Scotians live healthier, happier lives. I'm pleased that the Government of Canada is taking action to fund these organizations' efforts and advance the rights and well-being of 2SLGBTQI+ people in Nova Scotia."
The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West
"These organizations are at the forefront of addressing the challenges faced by 2SLGBTQI+ communities and are key to implementing solutions today and creating systemic change for tomorrow. One year after the launch of the 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan, we are making progress towards ensuring organizations have the support they need to advance equality for all Canadians."
The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
- In 2021, 423 hate crimes targeting sexual orientation were recorded; this surpassed 2019's total of 265 hate crimes. Of these crimes, nearly 8 in 10 targeted the gay and lesbian population, while the remainder targeted the bisexual population and people of another sexual orientation that is not heterosexual, such as asexual and pansexual people.
- Seven in ten youth aged 15 to 17 years reported that they had experienced bullying at some point in the preceding year. The risk of being teased, insulted, or excluded was heightened among sexually and gender-diverse youth, which includes those who are transgender, non-binary and/or have same-gender attraction, compared with cisgender youth attracted exclusively to a different gender.
- Launched in August 2022, the 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan
- prioritizes and sustains 2SLGBTQI+ community action;
- continues to advance and strengthen 2SLGBTQI+ rights at home and abroad;
- supports Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ resilience and resurgence;
- engages everyone in Canada in fostering a more inclusive future;
- strengthens 2SLGBTQI+ data and evidence-based policy making; and
- embeds 2SLGBTQI+ issues in the work of the Government of Canada.
- As part of Budget 2021, the Government of Canada committed $15 million over three years to support community-informed initiatives to overcome issues facing 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
- Truro Pride | Celebrating the diversity, uniqueness, and relevance of us all
- Gender Affirming Care Nova Scotia
- Call for proposals ? 2SLGBTQI+ Projects Fund (now closed)
- Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan... Building our future, with pride
- Police-reported hate crime, 2021 (statcan.gc.ca)
- Bullying victimization among sexually and gender diverse youth in Canada (statcan.gc.ca)
- 2SLGBTQI+ glossary
- Women and Gender Equality Canada
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SOURCE Women and Gender Equality Canada
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