Statement by the Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on LGBTQ2 issues

Statement

Ottawa, April 11, 2018 – The special advisor to the Prime Minister on LGBTQ2 issues, Randy Boissonnault, today issued the following statement on Day of Pink:

“Canada is a richly diverse country, both in landscape and population. Canadians celebrate this diversity because it makes us stronger as a nation and as a people.

“On April 11, Canada joins the world to celebrate the Day of Pink, the international day against homophobia, transphobia, transmisogyny and all forms of bullying. It is a day for people around the world to stand together to support diversity and end discrimination and bullying. Each year, millions of people wear pink to show that together, we can make a positive difference.

“The day commemorates two students from Nova Scotia who witnessed a boy being bullied for wearing a pink shirt. The teenagers organized a protest at their high school by wearing pink to show support for their fellow student. Canadians are encouraged to wear a pink shirt to symbolize that our society will not tolerate bullying.

“Members of our LGBTQ2 communities, including youth and seniors, still suffer from discrimination and stigma at a tremendous cost. The Government of Canada is working to address systemic discrimination against people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirit (LGBTQ2). On November 28, 2017, the Prime Minister apologized specifically for the historical unjust treatment of LGBTQ2 federal public servants, including those in the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP, and of LGBTQ2 Indigenous Peoples.

“The Government of Canada is taking action to ensure that all individuals are treated equally and with respect, at home in Canada and on the international stage. Learn more about the Government’s commitment to promote equality for the LGBTQ2 community, protect the rights of its members, and address historical and current discrimination against them by visiting the Free To Be Me website.”

Contact

For more information (media only), please contact:
Media Relations
Privy Council Office
613-957-5420

Page details

Date modified: