Justice
July 18, 2013
The following is being distributed at the request of the Human Rights
Commission:
Human Rights Commission Recognizes and Celebrates Pride Week with the LGBTQ
Community in Newfoundland and Labrador
The Human Rights Commission supports the celebration for Pride Week held
this week from July 15 to 21. Pride Week is a celebration of the diversity
of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community in
Newfoundland and Labrador and the recognition of the province as an
inclusive community.
“Pride Week is not only a time to celebrate the diversity of the LGBTQ
community, but also to acknowledge and remember the difficult challenges the
LGBTQ community has faced in its long-standing struggle for equality,” says
Remzi Cej, Chair of the Human Rights Commission. “Indeed, the Pride flag is
a symbol of resilience and survival in the face of historic discrimination.
As we reflect on the past, let us strive to ensure that our residents never
experience discrimination, regardless of sexual orientation or gender
identity.”
The
Human Rights Act, 2010 recognizes that every individual is free and
equal in dignity and rights. The act protects LGBTQ individuals from human
rights discrimination on the basis of prohibited grounds such as sex and
sexual orientation. As a society that has made equality and diversity among
our key values, it is imperative that employers and the public are aware of
their obligations under the
Human Rights Act, 2010 of Newfoundland and
Labrador with regard to gender identity. As such, the Human Rights
Commission recently developed guidelines to educate employers and the public
on discrimination based on gender identity. The guidelines are available at:
www.justice.gov.nl.ca/hrc/publications/gender_guidelines.pdf . Although
not listed as a separate ground, complaints of discrimination made to the
Human Rights Commission based on gender identity have been, and will
continue to be, accepted under the ground of sex.
"Human rights protections are in place to ensure that all the residents of
our province are treated with dignity and respect. The Human Rights
Commission congratulates the LGBTQ community on the tireless pursuit of the
protection and promotion of human rights," said Mr. Cej. “All our residents
deserve a life free from discrimination and violence.”
For more information on the Human Rights Commission, please visit
www.thinkhumanrights.ca
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Media contact:
Carey Majid
Executive Director
Human Rights Commission
709-729-2709, 1-800-563-5808
CareyMajid@gov.nl.ca
2013 07 18
10:45 a.m.