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OFL STATEMENT
May 17, 2015
Standing Up and Speaking Out as Proud Allies:
OFL Statement on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia,
May 17, 2015
Around the world, May 17 is recognized as a day of action, awareness and affirmation
of the fundamental rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified and Queer-identified
(LGBTQ) people. On this day, the labour movement joins the LGBTQ community and
allies in fighting for equality and celebrating the contributions made by LGBTQ people to
society and their families. The date of May 17th was chosen to commemorate the World
Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental
disorder.
In almost 80 countries around the world, loving someone of the same sex is still
considered illegal, at times involving lifetime imprisonment and, in nine countries, it is
even punishable by death. This horrifying reality is the catalyst behind our ongoing work
with Sexual Minorities Uganda, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and the
international community. The OFL joins this movement to actively support countries
around the world in providing a safe haven for LGBTQ Ugandans escaping persecution.
The Montreal-based, Fondation Émergence, has chosen a theme and visuals for its
2015 International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia campaign which highlight
the crucial role allies play in the LGBTQ community’s fight for equality. This year, the
awareness campaign recognizes the important contribution made by allies in the lives of
all LGBTQ individuals. We all know a relative, a co-worker or a friend who contributed,
in one way or another, to LGBTQ self-development.
“The labour movement is a proud ally for LGBTQ workers, their families and their
community. We have proudly mobilized for legislation affording LGBTQ rights at the
provincial and national level,” said OFL President Sid Ryan. “Legislation provides
powerful tools in combating homophobia, transphobia and other forms of discrimination
but we cannot simply challenge hate in the courtrooms of the nation – we must
challenge it in our homes, workplaces and communities.”
The devastating effect of homophobia and transphobia continues to exact a heavy toll
on a community whose youth face a suicide rate that is 14 times greater than their
heterosexual peers. A survey of high school students published by the EGALE Human
Rights Trust in 2009 showed that three-quarters of LGBTQ students feel unsafe in at
least one place at school, such as change rooms, washrooms, and hallways.
Transgender and transsexual students are among the most marginalized and are
especially likely to see at least one of these places as unsafe (87 percent). These
statistics provide a frightening backstory to the alarming rates of depression and suicide
within the LGBTQ community.
However, these prejudices do not stop at graduation and often follow LGBTQ workers
throughout their lives. Recent studies indicate that a high percentage of LGBTQ workers
opt to stay “in the closet” and do not “come out” to their colleagues or employer for fear
of being ostracized, demoted or fired. While the Ontario Human Rights Code and the
Occupational Health and Safety Act explicitly prohibit harassment and discrimination,
incidents too often go unreported, unacknowledged and unenforced.
“Despite important victories and advancements made in recent years, lesbian, gay,
bisexual, trans and queer members of our communities still face homophobia and
transphobia in their daily lives,” said OFL Executive Vice-President Irwin Nanda.
“LGBTQ people and their families experience harassment, intimidation and even
violence on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
This oppression is particularly dangerous for young people and is compounded by other
forms of discrimination such as racism, sexism, ableism and classism.”
“The Ontario Federation of Labour stands with pride in solidarity with the LGBTQ
community’s struggle against discrimination and creation of full equality,” said OFL
Solidarity and Pride Vice-President Stephen Seaborn. “This Federation is proud of its
contribution to the legislative and social progress on LGBTQ issues that has been made
over the past four decades.”
The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) represents 54 unions and one million workers
in Ontario. For information, visit www.OFL.ca and follow the OFL on Facebook and
Twitter: @OFLabour.
For further information:
Joel Duff, OFL Communications Director: 416-707-0349 (cell) or [email protected] *ENG/FRENCH*
CS/JD/ph: cope343