Trans News/ Issues

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Bill C-389 has arrived at it's final vote at last. Another hour of debate will happen this Monday (February 7th, 2011) with the final vote coming on February 9th, 2011. For those who haven't been following, this bill strives to add gender expression and gender identity to the Canadian Criminal Code and Human Rights Act as prohibited grounds for discrimination.

To those in Canada, this would be a good time to write your MP's again if you haven't already!

February 2, 2011
Final vote on Bill C-389 scheduled for next week

Bill C-389 could get through Parliament next week but we need your help to get it there.

Bill Siksay's private member's bill in support of trans human rights passed a report stage vote by only 12 votes in December. Fundamentalist and right-wing groups are flooding MPs' inboxes, opposing this crucial piece of human rights legislation.

The bill will get its final hour of debate on Monday, February 7 at 11:00 am. It will be voted on at Third Reading on Wednesday February 9, 2011 between 5:30 and 6:00 pm.

* Please make sure that your MP hears from you. Today.

This is the third time that Siksay, the MP for Burnaby/Douglas and the GLBT critic for the NDP, has attempted to pass legislation that would add gender identity and gender expression as prohibited grounds of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act and federal hate crime laws.

For trans people – those whose gender identity and gender expression does not match their birth sex – accessing a public bathroom, applying for a driver's license, and similar daily interactions can trigger hostility, intolerance, discrimination and even violence.

The Canadian Human Rights Act and federal hate crimes laws do not explicitly protect people from discrimination based on gender identity or expression.

This means a trans person could be prevented from using the washroom that matches their affirmed gender identity. It also means a trans person could be denied a security clearance, because his identification doesn't match his appearance.

Everyone deserves dignity and respect in the workplace and on the streets. That's why PSAC is supporting Bill C-389 to ensure that the Canadian Human Rights Act and federal hate crime legislation are amended to include gender identity and gender expression as prohibited grounds of discrimination.

http://www.psac.com/news/2011/issues/20110202-e.shtml

And of course the crazies always gotta come out of the woodwork...more reason to gather as much support as possible: http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/29791