Glenn Thibeault M.P. for Sudbury

SUDBURY – I am very pleased to support the city’s annual Pride celebrations and I’m proud of Sudbury’s reputation as a place we can be proud to be who we are. I and my New Democrat colleagues are proud to stand in solidarity with members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and transsexual communities.

Canada has led the world in ensuring the full equality of gay and lesbian citizens and our full participation in society. New Democrats are proud to have been front and centre in this achievement and we will remain vigilant to prevent any backsliding on these victories.

More than ever, there is an increasing confidence to be open about your sexuality. However, challenges remain.

Transsexual and transgender Canadians need explicit human rights protections.

That is why I support Bill C-389, introduced by my colleague and friend Bill Siksay - An Act which adds gender identity and expression to the list of prohibited grounds of discrimination in the Canadian Human Rights Act and to the hate and sentencing provisions of the Criminal Code. This bill passed second reading in the House of Commons this spring. That was an historic moment because it was the first time trans issues had been debated in the Canadian Parliament. The bill now proceeds to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights for the next step in the legislative process.

As you are well aware, everybody has the right to live their life as they wish, free from persecution and abuse. We need to do more to address the prejudice and discrimination suffered by LGBTT people around the world, which often reaches to violence and death. We stand in solidarity with brothers and sisters in other countries whose attempts to celebrate Pride and win human rights protections are often frustrated or subject to violence.

New Democrats will continue pressing issues of concern to LGBTT Canadians. Pride festivals like ours in Sudbury give us the opportunity to celebrate our accomplishments and look to the future.

I wish all of you a great pride week and I look forward to celebrating with you.

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For further information, please contact:

Brian Band, Communications Director/Outreach Coordinator (Glenn Thibeault) 705-673-7107 or thibeg1a@parl.gc.ca

GLENN THIBEAULT ISSUES STATEMENT TO KICK-OFF LOCAL PRIDE WEEK

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