Homosexual rights in canada
Canada's Supreme Court rules LGBT rights trump religious freedom
Canada's top court has ruled in favour of denying accreditation to a Christian law academy that banned students from having gay sex.
Friday's ruling against Trinity Western University in British Columbia (BC) was closely watched by both religious freedom and gay rights advocates.
The university made students swear not to have extra-marital or gay sex.
The Supreme Court found that protecting LGBT students from discrimination trumped religious freedom.
The evangelical university finalised its proposal for a law school in and applied for accreditation in every province so that its students could be called to the bar anywhere in Canada.
Ontario, British Columbia and Nova Scotia law societies denied the institution accreditation, on the grounds that it required all students to sign a covenant binding them to a code of conduct which banned sex outside the confines of heterosexual marriage.
Lower courts in Nova Scotia and British Columbia sided with the un
The human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, 2-spirit and intersex persons
Canada stands up for the protection and promotion of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, 2-spirit and intersex (LGBTQ2I) people globally.
The human rights of all persons are universal and indivisible. Everyone should enjoy the same fundamental human rights, regardless of their sexual orientation and their gender identity and expression.
Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” Article 2 declares, “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration.” All people, including LGBTQ2I individuals, are entitled to enjoy the protection provided by international human rights law, which is based on equality and non-discrimination.
Nearly 30 countries, including Canada, recognize same-sex marriage. By contrast, more than 70 countries still criminalize consensual same-sex conduct. This includes 6 countries that effectively
A proud
record ofFighting Together
for 2SLGBTQI+ Rights
“There’s no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation.” – Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Homosexuality is decriminalized across Canada.
The Canadian charter of rights and freedoms is enacted, protecting all Canadians from discrimination.
Sexual orientation is explicitly added to the Canadian Human Rights Act as prohibited grounds of discrimination.
Equal marriage bill passed by Parliament and becomes law from coast to coast to coast.
and there’s much more to do
- Federal legislation introduced to safeguard trans* rights and verb discrimination based on gender identity.
- Justin Trudeau becomes the first Canadian Prime Minister to march in a Pride Parade.
- Justin Trudeau and MPs raised the Pride Flag on Parliament Hill for the first time.
- Justin Trudeau makes a formal apology on behalf of the Government of Canada to 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians who have been wronged by federal legislation, policies, and practices.
- The Liberal government passes legislation to per
Contrary to what some right-wing extremists would have you believe, the “majority” of Canadians are not opposed to recognizing same-sex relationships. According to a recent Gallup poll, 49% of Canadians support extending relationship benefits to same-sex couples, while only 44% are opposed. Significantly, support is higher among young people, with 64% of respondents aged 18 to 29 in favour of extending same-sex benefits. The poll also found that, after Quebec, Ontario is the province most supportive of same-sex relationship recognition.
Let’s not forget, also, that many lesbians and gays are unwilling to take a public stand on this issue or be vocal. A lifetime of prejudice and discrimination deters many lesbians and gays from publicly identif~4ng their sexual orientation even to their closest friends and relatives, let alone telephoning a constituency office to talk to a stranger, particularly if that person may be hostile to their rights. Do not fantasize, however, that just because these people are not willing to be vocal, your decision in this matter will not guide the way