Statement by Liberal Party of Canada Leader Justin Trudeau on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

May 15, 2015

TORONTO – The Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia:

“Today, I proudly reaffirm the Liberal Party’s commitment to working with Canadians and those around the globe to combat homophobia and transphobia.

“Protecting and promoting human rights must be an imperative for governments and individuals alike. In the last generation we have made great strides in securing legal rights for the LGBTQ2 community in Canada – from enshrining equality rights in the Charter to the passage of the Civil Marriage Act. There remains much to be done, though, to truly end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“In the area of trans rights, specifically, I am deeply disturbed by the Conservatives’ decision to add discriminatory provisions to Bill C-279, the gender identity and gender expression bill. I call on Stephen Harper to instruct his Senate caucus to abandon their amendments, which will only further marginalize transgender and gender diverse Canadians, and fully extend legal rights and protections to all those in the transgender and gender diverse community.

“And while we work diligently to advance human rights for the LGBTQ2 community here at home, we must also work to do so globally. In far too many parts of the world, LGBTQ2 persons endure unconscionable intolerance and persecution, and are regularly confronted with the threat of imprisonment or death.

“As Liberals, we stand united in celebrating and advocating for diversity, and will continue to fight for a safer, more equal and more just world for all our children.”