 Topic: International Day Against Homophobia and
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aManOnaJourney
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Location: North Lethbridge
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| Posted: 18 May 2009 at 12:26am | IP Logged
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Acceptance
of homosexual and transexual people in Canadian society has grown in recent years by
leaps and bounds, but being gay or lesbian still means risking jail
time in 86 countries and the death penalty in seven others.
This Sunday has been recognized as International Day Against
Homophobia and Transphobia.
The day marks the anniversary of when homosexuality was removed from
the World Health Organization's list of mental illnesses (May 17,
1990), and creates awareness of the ongoing discrimination against
people.
The issue has made headlines recently with the
introduction of proposed human rights legislation in Alberta giving
parents the right to pull their children from any class in school where
issues of sexuality or religion are to be discussed.
"Where
are the parents who are publicly advocating for this clause to be
added? Who is it that's expressing this concern, especially when there
are already opportunities and procedures in place for them to opt out?" said Tyler Gschaid, president of Gay and Lesbian Alliance / Lethbridge and Area (GALA/LA).
"Why
is sexual orientation one of the specific elements from which parents
can opt out? It sets up that difference - if we’re truly equal, then
why would you have that characteristic as something that parents can
opt out of? If you should not discriminate against people because of
that characteristic, then how can parents choose to use that
characteristic to opt their children out?"
Gschaid said
he understands the appropriateness of the sexuality aspect of Alberta's
curriculum and why parents would want to opt their children out of a
discussion about sexual orientation. "I
disagree that a 16-year-old or a 17 -year old shouldn't hear about
sexuality of two same-sex partners. I think they're actually old enough
to actually handle that concept. They can hear about how a male and
female couple's sexual organs work, or for sexual health, how to
protect themselves, So why can't they hear it about two same-sex people?"
Every day, Gschaid said, “people
who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans-identified, two-spirited, and
queer (GLBTTQ) may be rejected, isolated, discriminated against,
bullied, marginalized and victims of violence. Homophobia and
transphobia still exists, and we must work together to combat it. This
day encourages everyone to reach beyond fear, ignorance, violence and
hatred, become more informed, show support and stand for equality and
human rights."
"In
1998, the Supreme Court of Canada, with the Vriend decision, directed
sexual orientation to be 'read in' Alberta's Individual Rights
Protection Act," he said. "Eleven
years later, legislation was finally presented this spring to have
sexual orientation included in human rights laws and protections from
discrimination. And it was inefficient. Despite recommendations,
gender-identity was still excluded from protections."
"The
province provides no funding for GLBTTQ groups in Alberta. Public
policy like the de-listing of sexual re-assignment surgery and the
ability of parents to exempt children from discussions of sexual
orientation and the role of GLBTTQ people in history only serves to
create isolation and segregation of GLBTTQ people, their families and
allies," Gschaid said.
The
date will be marked in Lethbridge with the final instalments in New
Queer Cinema, a film series that kicked off mid-March. Thursday, May
14, beginning at 7 pm at the Bowman Arts Centre are two films (with
adult content) called "Nitrate Kisses" and "No Skin Off My Ass"
(reportedly Kurt Cobain's favourite movie).
Gschaid said the
selection of films shares the political and cultural experiences of
GLBTTQ people and address aspects of understanding, acceptance, family,
isolation, relationships, and creating community.
International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
www.homophobiaday.org
www.idahomophobia.org
Gay and Lesbian Alliance / Lethbridge Area (GALA/LA)
www.galalethbridge.ca
Day Stresses Support for Equality and Human Rights
Sunday is International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
Sherri Gallant, Lethbridge Herald, May 14, 2009
__________________
"What have you done today to make you feel PROUD?"
(Proud by Heather Small, Queer as Folk Soundtrack)
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