May 17 is marked worldwide as the day against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia. PSAC stands in solidarity with our GLBT members against all forms of hatred and prejudice.

Protect trans rights now!

Trans people are among the most marginalized persons in our society, and too many encounter obstacles and barriers in finding employment, housing, and health-care services. They also face extreme violence, prejudice and hate, which have sadly resulted in high rates of suicide.

For years, PSAC has been advocating for the federal government to formally prohibit discrimination against transgender and transsexual persons. This legal protection has been put forward in Parliament many times and is still not in place.

Bill C-16 would amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code by adding protections against discrimination and violence based on gender identity or expression. The bill was passed by the House of Commons in October, 2016. Since then, it has been waiting in the Senate.

Delegates to the Pride conference signed a petition requesting the Senate to move quickly to adopt Bill C-16.

PSAC encourages its members to take action on this issue

Discrimination in the federal public service

Historically, the federal public service has been a hostile place for GLBT people. Until the 1990s, the federal government actively discriminated against people who were perceived to be gay. The RCMP spied on people, followed them, interrogated them, and the government fired them if they thought they were gay.

The Liberal government has promised to issue an apology to former GLBT public service workers that were fired or discriminated against, but we are still waiting.

PSAC once again calls on the Prime Minister to stop delaying and apologize now.

PSAC equity conferences

More than 500 PSAC members from five equity groups and their allies attended the union’s triennial National Equity Conferences in March to raise awareness, deepen their knowledge and strategize around issues of discrimination and equality.

GLBT members gathered for the Pride conference to attend workshops on topics such as identity, equity at work, and defending trans members’ rights in the workplace.

Delegates also adopted a number of resolutions that will go to the PSAC Triennial Convention in 2018.