In Canada, 85 organisations co-signed a special May 17 open letter, calling on the government to affirm its support for LGBTI rights internationally, which included a 10 point plan for dealing with human rights abuses of LGBTI people around the world. Foreign Affairs Minister, John Baird, responded with an official statement underscoring the strong commitment of the Canadian government to continue to press for universal human rights. National television station, CBC, covered these initiatives, as well as the raising of the rainbow flag at Toronto City Hall to mark the Day.

Foreign Affairs Minister responds to 85 LGBTI and human rights organisations

After 85 organisations co-signed an open letter, ahead of May 17, to Foreign Affairs Minister, John Baird, he released a statement affirming the Canadian government’s support for respecting and protecting LGBT rights around the world. You can read the letter in full here.

Baird released a statement in honour of the IDAHOT 2014, on May 16, in which he said:

“This day is an opportunity to shed light on the significant human rights abuses to which sexual minorities are subjected worldwide.

“It is alarming that approximately 80 countries around the world criminalize homosexuality or have laws in place that have the intended effect of limiting the human rights of a targeted group. Canada has urged and will continue to urge these nations to review this regressive legislation.

“The criminalization of homosexuality is an incitement to intolerance, which breeds hate and, in turn, violence.

“Canada remains committed to standing up for the human rights of all individuals.”

Canadian television network CBC covered the campaign and Baird’s response in its evening news bulletin. They also mentioned Toronto City Council’s flying the rainbow flag for the IDAHOT. You can watch the bulletin here:

You can also read Canada HIV/AIDS Legal Network’s Press Release regarding the open letter campaign – here.

Toronto

Communities gathered for a major event in the city for the IDAHOT 2014 – a flag raising ceremony, with speeches from community leaders, outside Toronto City Hall, on May 16.

Although city Mayor Rob Ford did not attend, Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly attended and spoke at the event. He also announced that City Hall would be lit up in rainbow colours in recognition of the Day.

Toronto Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly, speaking at the rainbow flag raising at City Hall on May 16. Source: Toronto Sun

PFLAG President, Irene Miller, gave a powerful and emotional speech underscoring the significance of the flag-raising. In her speech, Miller also noted that in February 2014 – when the Sochi Olympics were being held, Toronto’s mayor, Rob Ford, refused for the flag to fly outside city hall. She also criticised Ford for sexist, racist and homophobic remarks he had made. You can watch her speech in full here:

Media coverage of the event was considerable (e.g. Toronto Sun, Globe and Mail, and City News).

The 519 Anti-Violence Program also hosted a community art event to mark this years’ IDAHOT, at the Church Street Community Centre. You can find out more here.

Vancouver

Various groups came together for a diverse series of events in Vancouver, Canada for the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia 2014. Communities gathered for a cultural event and panel discussion on LGBTIQ* refugees in Canada, as well as for ‘Gay & Grey’ – a conversation over breakfast about what it means to be LGBTQ, out, and aging. More info.

Quebec

As ever, the Quebec region was particularly active around the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, with special support from the regional May 17 campaign, by Fondation Émergence. This year, the chosen theme for actions around the Day was “Same-sex parenting I love my two moms, I love my two dads”.

You can find out more about the campaign in this press release, and by browsing their website.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

In Halifax, Nova Scotia, LGBTQI communities – and their friends and allies – came together for an IDAHOT 2014 Rally, in the city’s South Park & Spring Garden on May 14. The Rally was organised under the theme “Speak Up & Speak Out!” and featured the participation of Scott Jones (and the Don’t Be Afraid campaign), as well as guest speakers from various community groups: Kate Shewan (Trans Activist & NSRAP Vice-Chair), Jessica Durling (Trans Activist & King’s PRIDE Co-Chair), Pedram Niakan (A “Rainbow Refugee” to Halifax), Keith MacMillan (The Halifax Refugee Clinic). There were also performances by Max Jones and The Youth Project Queerios, whilst people could also get their photos taken in the “Don’t Be Afraid” photo booth! More info.

Communities “Speak Up and Speak Out!” at the Halifax Rally for the IDAHOT 2014. May 14, 2014. Source: Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project

Progressive voices of faith speak out in support of equality

The Right Rev. Gary Paterson, the first openly gay Moderator of the United Church of Canada wrote a popular and widely shared open letter to the LGBTQ community, stressing the existence of progressive voices of faith within Christian communities, and underscoring the need to support equal rights for LGBTQ people. You can read it here. He also spoke at a Vancouver event for IDAHOT 2014.

Canada gets top LGBT rights scorecard

On social media, many commented positively that Canada received top marks (5/5) on their LGBT rights scorecard, according to the widely shared Guardian newspaper infographic – a project developed in partnership with ILGA and All Out. More info.

Toronto

OUTShine hosted their First National GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) Summit in Toronto, during May 17 – 20. This gathered together young people and educators from across Canada with a focus on promoting safer and more inclusive schools for everyone, and especially lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) folks, with plenty of room for straight allies ! Organisers also staged a rainbow flashmob event on the first evening of the conference – Friday, May 17. For more details see www.mygsa.org/outshine/

The full programme of events for the conference can be downloaded as a pdf here.

Poster for OUTShine concert – May 17th 2013

Montreal

On Sunday May 19th a Célébration spécial pour la Journée internationale contre l’homophobie / ‘Celebration for the day against homophobia’ was held at the Catholic Church of St Peter the Apostle, at 10:30. More than 60 singers of the choir gay Montréal and the choir gay Mélo’men of Paris, participated in the event.

Province of Quebec

For 2013, as in previous years, the Quebec-focused organisation Fondation Émergence developed an active campaign across the francophone Province. This year’s campaign focused on fighting homophobia on social media. More information on activities can be found (in French) HERE. The foundation released a report on the Day, documenting that 58% of respondents reported having witnessed homophobic content on social media.

Vancouver

Activists linked to the group QMUNITY organised a International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia Breakfast event, focussed on homophobia in sport.

Flyer for the QMUNITY/Vancity event – IDAHOT 2013; Source.

The group released a statement shortly after the event:

“A big thank you to everyone who attended the 9th Annual International Day Against Homophobia breakfast! We received rave reviews from our nearly 500 attendees – an increase of 30% from last year! – who were inspired by our outstanding keynote speakers, Dr. Louise Cowin, Ben Rutledge, Cory Oskam, and his superstar mom Nicole Seguin. With the support of our guests and valued sponsors, we raised $45,820 for QMUNITY’s programs and services, increasing our revenue from 2012 by almost 500%!
By all measures the day was a tremendous success, and we look forward to next year, the 10th anniversary of the International Day Against Homophobia breakfast and the 35th anniversary of QMUNITY!”

Nova Scotia

Brought to you by the Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project (NSRAP) : “Join Halifax’s LGBTQ* communities as we recognize May 17th, the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHoT). Our 2013 theme is “Our Bodies, Our Health, Our Rights.” … This year’s rally will be held on the Thursday evening before IDAHoT – we know lots of people will be heading out of town for Victoria Day weekend. … Details, including presenters, will be added as they confirmed. For more details see the facebook event.

Students at Bridgeport Elementary School, Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, also organised a ‘Rainbow Day’ for the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia:

May 17 in Kelowna

In Kelowna, British Colombia, the group Okanagan Pride hosted various events including a balloon release, mini chalk-festival and reception to coincide with the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, on May 17, 2013.’ As the organisers stated in a pre-event media release:

‘Okanagan Pride’s free event is open to the public and starts at 7:00 pm on May 17 at the Pride Centre, 1476 Water Street, Kelowna. The event will commence with a balloon release followed by a reception with cake and refreshments.

According to Okanagan Pride Society President Wilbur Turner “This event is designed to not only celebrate progress toward equality but also draw attention to the need for more work to end discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.” He adds, “Recent events at Kelowna nightclubs where patrons have been called out for “being gay” by staff and being told “this isn’t that kind of club” points to the need for more education.”’

Photos from actions in Kelowna:

Other actions

A Statement in support of the Day was also released by the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT).

Quebec based Fondation Emergence, which launches every year a mobilisation campaign that stretches beyond the province’s borders, mobilized this year on promoting “Sexual Diversity in the Work Place”. The organisation reports dozens of events, mainly from Quebec but also from other Canadian provinces.

In London, Ontario, the Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia Working Groupjoined the IDAHO global mobilisation around Education with a press conference, followed by the screening of short films and a panel discussion.

In Milton, Ontario, activists held a Photo Voice event which was aimed at sharing youth perspectives on homophobia, biphobia and transphobia through photography.

In Toronto, the University of Toronto hosted “Iranian Voices On Homophobia” featuring a panel and round-table discussion hosted by well-known Iranian identities.

In Halifax, activists took part in the city’s Grand Parade. Various queer and queer-positive organizations had action stations set up where people could sign petitions. Following the rally, there was a Public Display of Affection, where rally-goers were encouraged to reclaim downtown Halifax.

In Montreal, a gala event was held under the theme of “Les batisseurs” (The builders) to highlight the important contributions that individuals and organizations have made in defending the rights of LGBTA people in Montreal and in Quebec, and in promoting a positive image of the community. Six people were presented with awards.

In Vancouver, the 8th Annual International Day Against Homophobia Breakfast was held. This year’s theme was “Queering the Workplace: How LGTB Inclusion is Good for Business”.