The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia, and other anti-2SLGBTQIA+1 hate is a day to raise awareness about ongoing violence and discrimination against 2SLGBTQIA+ people and communities, both globally and here at home.
This year’s theme, “Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights,” aptly summarises the many facets of the struggle faced by our communities — from having agency over our own bodies to openly loving who we love; from being free from harassment to being free from targeted violence and incarceration.
According to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association’s 2020 report on state-sponsored homophobia:
- 67 countries have criminal provisions against consensual same-sex “conduct” with punishment ranging from incarceration to the death penalty;
- at least 42 countries have legal barriers to freedom of expression on issues related to sexual and gender diversity; and
- at least 51 countries have legal barriers to registering or operating organisations working on sexual and gender diversity issues.
Not captured in this data is the rash of anti-trans legislation in the United States and beyond, targeting access to everything from vital gender-affirming medical care, to washrooms, to participation in sports.
Canada is not immune from this hate and its repercussions.
The past few years have demonstrated not only that hate and ignorance are alive and well in Canada, but that it can be weaponized for political gain. As we’ve seen around the world, when that happens 2SLGBTQIA+ people — our bodies, our lives, and our rights — are in grave danger of being further attacked for political ends.
So what do we do?
We redouble our education and advocacy efforts. We remain steadfast in our commitment to human rights for all. We build communities of respect, resilience, and support. The struggle for freedom from discrimination is not a one-off battle, but a life-long commitment animated by principle and powered by love. So we don’t stop. We can’t afford to.
1 2-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual, and other minority or marginalised sexual orientations, sex characteristics, and gender identities and expressions.