Representing 54 unions & one million workers the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL.ca) is Canada’s largest provincial labour federation
CUPW – 2012-04-27 – May 17 – The International Day Against Homophobia
http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/14007…
On May 17, 1991, the World Health Organisation (WHO) removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses putting an end to over a century of homophobia in the medical field.
Today, May 17 is recognized by over 50 countries as the International Day Against Homophobia. It is a day to stand in solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities in opposition to homophobia and transphobia wherever it is found.
Global Human Rights Violations Demand a Response
Under article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “everyone has the right to life, liberty and the security of person” irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity.
This ideal is not the reality around the world. Homophobic and transphobic violence has been recorded in every region of the world and continues to be a global issue.
The first United Nations report on the human rights of LGBT people was released a few months ago during December 2011.
The report details how people around the world suffer hate-motivated violence, murder, torture, detention, criminalization and discrimination in jobs, health care and education because of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
76 of the UN’s 192 member countries have laws on the books criminalizing homosexual behaviour.
At least five countries impose the death penalty as punishment for same-sex relations.
Here in Canada and Quebec, the LGBT community continues to be discriminated against in their families, in employment, in access to health care, in education and in society
A Historic Shift Is Under Way
In his address to the Human Rights Council on March 2012, Ban Ki-moon spoke directly to the LGBT communities around the world:
“To those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, let me say: You are not alone. Your struggle for an end to violence and discrimination is a shared struggle…..A historic shift is under way…..The time has come.”
CUPW Stands In Solidarity
We call on everyone to stand in solidarity with our LGBT brothers and sisters to show them that they are not alone. You can show support by:
Attending May 17 events in our community;
Participating in school activities that create space for anti- bullying messages and acts of solidarity;
Attending Pride events in your community this summer;
Supporting the Private Member’s Bill (C-279), which would add protections for gender identity and gender expression;
Distributing material, including the CUPW trans poster, in your workplace or at your union meeting;
Speaking out against homophobia and heterosexism.
The time has come to put an end to homophobia and transphobia everywhere.
For more information on May 17th, the International Day Against Homophobia, visitwww.homophobiaday.org.
In solidarity,
Cindi Foreman
2nd National Vice-President