May 16, 2014
Supporting Safer Communities
Provincial Government Recognizes International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
The Provincial Government is recognizing tomorrow, May 17, as the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in Newfoundland and Labrador. This day aims to raise awareness of homophobia and transphobia, and to celebrate gender and sexual diversity.
“Our government is committed to celebrating the gender and sexual diversity of Newfoundland and Labrador. With our Violence Prevention Initiative, we are committed to educating and increasing awareness of violence prevention against all vulnerable populations, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, or LGBT individuals so that all residents of the province can live in communities free from violence.”
-The Honourable Joan Shea, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women
The theme of this year’s campaign is Same-sex parenting: I love my two moms, I love my two dads. The intention is to demystify same-sex parenting in order to reduce prejudice towards children who grow up in same-sex parented families.
“Everyone should be able to live without harassment and fear, including same-sex families. The Provincial Government is committed to working with the community sector to provide supports for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. We are also engaging with young people and promoting diversity and inclusion in all aspects of society through the province’s 34 Community Youth Networks.”
-The Honourable Steve Kent, Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement
As part of the Violence Prevention Initiative, many Regional Coordinating Committees have events organized throughout the province. Contact information for each committee can be found in the backgrounder below. A number of community stakeholder organizations, including Planned Parenthood are also hosting events to raise awareness of homophobia and transphobia.
“As executive director of Planned Parenthood, I am very pleased to be hosting our annual breakfast which recognizes homophobia and transphobia in Newfoundland and Labrador. At Planned Parenthood, we encourage everyone to take positive, solution-focused actions to aid in creating a province filled with kindness, acceptance, and benevolence.”
-Angie Brake, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood
The Provincial Government remains committed to preventing violence against all vulnerable populations by working with over 30 community partners and departments and agencies to ensure all residents live in violence-free communities.
QUICK FACTS
- The Provincial Government recognizes May 17 as International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
- According to Statistics Canada, in 2011 there were 64,575 same-sex married and common-law couples in Canada, up 42 per cent from 2006.
- In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
- Information on the Violence Prevention Initiative can be found at www.gov.nl.ca/vpi.
- Young people and youth organizations are invited to join in the conversation with government through NLYouth.ca, and Twitter, @OPE_GovNL.
Media contacts:
| Sara Norris Program, Policy and Communications Analyst Women’s Policy Office 709-729-6225 saranorris@gov.nl.ca |
Angie Brake Executive Director Planned Parenthood 709-579-1009 executivedirector@nlsexualhealthcentre.org |
| Kip Bonnell Communications Manager Office of Public Engagement 709-729-1221 | 709-687-9081 kipbonnell@gov.nl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Regional Coordinating Committees against Violence
| Coalition Against Violence-Eastern Avalon //www.coalitionagainstviolence.ca/ Connie Pike, Executive Director 31 Peet Street – Tara Place, Suite 215 St. John’s, NL A1B 3W8 Tel: 709-757-0137 Fax: 754-4949 cavae.save.now@gmail.com |
Communities Against Violence //www.communitiesagainstviolence.ca/ Heather Sutton, Executive Director Sheppard Avery Building| 195 Water Street, P.O. Box 130 Carbonear, NL A1Y 1B6 Tel: 709-597-3161 info@communitiesagainstviolence.org |
| Burin Peninsula Voice Against Violence //www.bpvav.com/ Melanie Cleal, Executive Director 60 Atlantic Crescent P.O. Box 87 Marystown, NL AOE 2MO Tel: 709-279-4030 Fax: 279-5387 bpvav@nf.aibn.com |
Eastern Region Committee Against Violence //www.ercav.ca/home/ Tracey Fleming, Executive Director Eastern Regional Committee Against Violence 105 Manitoba Dr., Suite 304 Clarenville, NL A5A 1K2 Tel: 709-466-4676 Fax: 709-466-4670 ercav@gov.nl.ca |
| The Roads to End Violence //theroadstoendviolence.ca/ Lori Oram, Executive Director The Roads to End Violence 157 Airport Boulevard Gander, NL A1V 1K6 Tel: 709-651-2250 Fax: 709-651-2295 theroadstoendviolence@nf.aibn.com |
Violence Prevention South and Central Lorraine Hearn, Executive Director 5 Hardy Ave Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2P8 Tel: 709-489-8828 Fax: 709-489-8620 cav@nfld.net |
| Western Regional Coalition to End Violence //www.wrcev.ca/ Victoria Jones, Executive Director P.O. Box 373 2 Carmen Avenue Corner Brook, NL A2H 6E3 Tel: 709-634-6606 Fax: 709-639-1093 wrcoalitiontoendviolence@gmail.com |
Southwestern Coalition to End Violence //www.swcev.ca/ Bernice Hancock, Coordinating Agency Representative 31 – 37 Gallant Street P.O. Box 621 Stephenville, NL A2N 3B5 Tel: 709-643-1022 / 643-5399 Fax: 709-643-2293 swceviolence@gmail.com |
| Northern Committee Against Violence //www.ncav.ca/home/ Darlene Rice, Executive Director 279 West Street P.O. Box 847 St. Anthony, NL AOK 4SO Tel: 709-454-3351 Fax: 709-454-2334 darlenerice@gov.nl.ca |
Violence Prevention Labrador //www.vplabrador.ca/home/ Carmen Hancock, Executive Director P.O. Box 23 Forteau, NL A0K 2P0 Tel: 709-931-2600 Toll Free: 1-866-446-8080 Fax: 709-931-2601 coordinator@vplabrador.ca |