Canadian PM Sets Policy for LGBTQ Inclusion & Equality

Mandate Letters to Canadian Government Ministers

Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth Mandate Letter
 
" ... I will expect you to work with your colleagues and through established legislative, regulatory and Cabinet processes to deliver on your top priorities. In particular, you will:

... Continue the work of the LGBTQ2 Secretariat in promoting LGBTQ2 equality, protecting LGBTQ2 rights and addressing discrimination against LGBTQ2 communities.

Provide additional investments to LGBTQ2 organizations to hire staff, expand services and reach more people. This includes hotlines and other support services for LGBTQ2 communities, including those that provide sexual health information.

Work with the Minister of Health, and in partnership with Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec, to build on existing progress to implement a behaviour-based model of donation that eliminates the blood ban for men who have sex with other men.

Consult civil society representatives of LGBTQ2 communities to lay the groundwork for an LGBTQ2 action plan that would guide the work of the federal government on issues important to LGBTQ2 Canadians... "
 
Ministerof Justice and Attorney General of Canada Mandate Letter
 
" ... I will expect you to work with your colleagues and through established legislative, regulatory and Cabinet processes to deliver on your top priorities. In particular, you will:

... Work with the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth to amend the Criminal Code to ban the practice of conversion therapy and take other steps required with the provinces and territories to end conversion therapy in Canada... "
 
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, December 13, 2019.

     Click the links above to read the entire Mandate Letters

 

Wisconsin Gov Flies Pride Flag

" MADISON, June 7, 2019 -  Gov. Tony Evers signed executive order #29 relating to a proclamation that the Rainbow Pride Flag be flown over the east wing of the State Capitol building and throughout the state of Wisconsin in recognition of Pride Month  beginning on Friday, June 7, 2019, and ending at sunset on June 30, 2019.

"Publicly displaying the Rainbow Pride Flag sends a clear and unequivocal message that Wisconsin is a welcoming and inclusive place where everyone can live without fear of persecution, judgment, or discrimination," said Gov. Evers. "

     Click here to see Gov. Evers’ executive order #2 

Court Denies Right of Religious Anti-GLBT Discrimination in Philadelphia Case

Catholic Social Services v. City of Philadelphia
 
" CSS’s theme devolves to this: the City is targeting CSS because it discriminates against same-sex couples; CSS is discriminating against same-sex couples because of its religious beliefs; therefore the City is targeting CSS for its religious beliefs. But this syllogism is as flawed as it is dangerous. It runs directly counter to the premise of Smith that, while religious belief is always protected, religiously motivated conduct enjoys no special protections or exemption from general, neutrally applied legal requirements. That CSS’s conduct springs from sincerely held and strongly felt religious beliefs does not imply that the City’s desire to regulate that conduct springs from antipathy to those beliefs. If all comment on religiously motivated conduct by those enforcing neutral, generally applicable laws against discrimination is construed as ill will against the religious belief itself, then Smith is a dead letter, and the nation’s civil rights laws might be as well. As the Intervenors rightly state, the “fact that CSS’s non-compliance with the City’s non-discrimination requirements is based on its religious beliefs does not mean that the City’s enforcement of its requirements constitutes anti-religious hostility. .....

The City stands on firm ground in requiring its contractors to abide by its non-discrimination policies when administering public services. Under Smith, the First Amendment does not prohibit government regulation of religiously motivated conduct so long as that regulation is not a veiled attempt to suppress disfavored religious beliefs. And while CSS may assert that the City’s actions were not driven by a sincere commitment to equality but rather by antireligious and anti-Catholic bias (and is of course able to introduce additional evidence as this case proceeds), the current record does not show religious persecution or bias. Instead it shows so far the City’s good faith in its effort to enforce its laws against discrimination.

Hence we hold that the District Court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion for preliminary injunctive relief and affirm its thorough and well-reasoned decision. "
 
Judge Thomas Ambro, Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, April 22, 2019.
 
     click here to read entire decision

Puerto Rico Gov to Ban Conversion Therapy

" As a father, as a scientist, and as the Governor for everyone in Puerto Rico, I firmly believe that the idea that there are people in our society who need treatment because of their gender identity or whom they love is not only absurd, it is harmful to so many children and young adults who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

I strive for Puerto Rico to be a society in which everyone, regardless of whom they love, can be accepted and live without fear of persecution. This includes society’s most vulnerable, our children, who should be supported and loved. Conversion therapy in no way benefits anybody, it only causes unimaginable pain and suffering.

Almost 50 years ago, the American Psychiatric Association declared that homosexuality is not a mental illness and therefore does not need to be “cured” or “treated” in any way.  "  

Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló announced he will sign an executive order banning so-called conversion therapy for minors on the island after the U.S. territory’s House of Representatives decided not to take Senate Bill 1000 to a vote, which would have made these therapies illegal. March 20, 2019. The Executive Order will be signed in the coming days.

     Click here to see the original press release


 

NY Gov Slams SCOTUS Upholding Prez Trans Mil Ban

" The Supreme Court has greenlit an abhorrent policy that not only endorses discrimination in our armed forces, but also undermines national security by blocking talented and dedicated people from serving their country. President Trump's disgraceful ban on most transgender troops serving in the military repays service and sacrifice with hate and it takes our military backward by undercutting this nation's commitment to ensuring equal rights for all.

In New York, we stand united with the transgender community. We took action in 2015 to affirm that all transgender people are protected under the State's Human Rights Law, and this year we are enshrining those protections in State law once and for all with the Gender Expression Nondiscrimination Act. While this federal government governs by bigotry and division, New York will always fight back to ensure the dignity and respect of every individual. "

Governor Andrew Cuomo, January 22, 2019.

     Click here to see original statement


 

NY Gov Signs Conversion Therapy Ban Into Law

" So-called LGBTQ conversion therapy is a fraudulent practice that has done untold harm to too many young people. New York has been at the forefront of protecting LGBTQ rights for decades and when Senate Republicans refused to ban conversion therapy, we took executive action to stop insurance companies from covering it. With today's passage of this important bill, New York is sending a clear message that no one should be tortured for being who they are and we will stand for nothing short of absolute acceptance and full equality. I applaud the legislature for taking this decisive action to ban conversion therapy and protect LGBTQ youth. "

Governor Andrew Cuomo, January 15, 2019.

     Click here for original statement


 

NY Gov Signs Trans Anti-Discrimination Bill Into Law

" At a time when the federal government is doing everything it can to roll back the hard won rights of transgender Americans, New York State is once again stepping up for full equality and equal protections under the law. We were the first state in the nation to issue regulations prohibiting harassment and discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression, and continue to fight this federal administration's despicable attacks on trans people. This is an issue of basic fairness, and today marks an historic day for those in the LGBTQ community who fought tirelessly for the passage of this bill. I applaud the Legislature for acting quickly to pass this critical component of our Justice Agenda. "

Governor Andrew Cuomo, January 15, 2019.

     Click here for original statement