June, International Pride Month, celebrates sexual and gender diversity. Several Radio-Canada reports show how the fight for the rights of sexual minorities in Canada has grown over the past few years.
One day needed
” Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go. Today, we celebrate national day against homophobia because there are still a certain number of people in society […] who are uncomfortable with homosexual orientation. “
On June 4, 2003, the host of noon time Pascale Nadeau interviewed Laurent McCutcheon, who was one of the keynote speakers for the first National Day Against Homophobia.
Laurent McCutcheon explained to Radio-Canada viewers why such a day was needed.
It was in 1973 that the American Psychiatric Association stopped considering homosexuality as a mental illness.
In 1977, Quebec enacted a Charter of Rights and Freedoms that included a prohibition on discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Laurent McCutcheon immediately noticed that Quebec had changed drastically. It is a society that has made tremendous progress in terms of respect for the rights of sexual minorities.
But with the same breath, he said he was convinced that work, in particular awareness -raising, remained to be done.
Opinion polls seem to prove the militant right.
A survey conducted by Léger and published on the occasion of the first National Day Against Homophobia maintains that 60% of men and 53% of women are uncomfortable when they see two homosexuals cuddling.
The conquest of rights
Until 1969, homosexuality in Canada had to live in the closet or risk having a problem with the law.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau did, by declaring that “the state has nothing to do with citizens’ bedrooms ”and passing Bill C-195, effectively decriminalized homosexuality in the country. .
But thoughts don’t necessarily evolve as fast as the homosexual community would like.
For example, it is not easy to erase the mistrust between the police forces and the gay community.
This is even more true because confrontations with certain police forces have made headlines in recent years.
This was the case in Montreal on October 21, 1977, more than 200 gays were arrested at the Truxx bar in Montreal.
The next day, the Association for the Rights of Gays of Quebec organized a demonstration to demand an end to police repression.
Fight homophobic violence
” 13 murder, is that small? No! With an average of 10 attacks per week, is that small? “
” You walk down the street alone, they’ll say “you’re a lesbian”. Because you’re talking to a woman or you’re going to do that, they’ll tell you too. It’s still a bit annoying in t’sé district. “
The fight for rights and for an end to homophobic violence is accelerating in Quebec and around the world.
On July 14, 1993, journalist Doris Vasiloff presents at Montreal tonight a picture of the phenomenon of hate and homophobic crimes in the metropolis.
His conclusion is clear.
Hate and homophobic crimes exist in Montreal. This can happen in parks frequented by many members of the gay community and also in what Montreal calls “the gay village”.
Hate crimes against gays are more frequent because victims often do not have the courage to file a complaint.
Fear of being exposed to parents, friends and colleagues paralyzes many.
There is also the fact that homosexuals have very little trust in the police, which is often seen as part of the problem.
When homophobia knocks on your door
On May 17, 2007, journalist Karine Bastien presented to the audience of Newscast Pierre Langevin.
The man is finishing the boxes for his move.
He was almost whistling it.
Changing the address means for him to turn the page into a nightmare chapter of his life.
Pierre Langevin has had a homophobic neighbor for four years.
At first, Pierre Langevin received sarcasm and sarcastic remarks from him.
But the situation is slowly getting worse.
One day, a neighbor rushed Pierre Langevin on a bicycle and injured him.
The straw broke on the camel’s back.
Pierre Langevin decided to file a complaint with the Quebec Human Rights Commission for harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The commission tribunal agrees with the plaintiff. The neighbor was charged with assault and must pay a $ 3,500 fine to Pierre Langevin.
For the owner of the housing where Pierre Langevin lives, the Municipal Housing Office of Montreal, he found a new roof.
Following this case, the municipal organization implemented an awareness plan against homophobia that it will distribute to its 550 employees and 40,000 tenants.
Launched in 2003, the Fondation Émergence initiative has spread across the planet.
In 2005, National Day Against Homophobia became international and moved to May 17 on the calendar.
This choice is unintentional.
On May 17, 2005, 15 years before the day the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses.
In 2014, the idea of fighting transgender discrimination was incorporated on May 17th.
Radio Canada
Source: Radio-Canada
