Facing calls to act, Canadian lawmakers note ‘rising tide’ of hate and violence against LGBTQ2S+ community

Marking the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, federal lawmakers are drawing attention to an increase in hate and violence being directed at members of the LGBTQ2S+ community in Canada, while facing calls from advocates to act. In a series of statements noting the harsh reality many queer people face globally, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, a few cabinet ministers and Conservative MPs also made note of the targeted violence and hate, particularly directed in recent months at members of the trans community and towards drag performers in this country.
Hate crimes against the LGBTQ2S+ community, particularly trans people, are on the rise, according to Canadians United Against Hate. In a statement issued Wednesday calling on governments to do more than pay “lip service” to the issue, the group pointed to the latest hate crimes report from Statistics Canada that noted a 64 per cent increase in hate crimes targeting individuals over their sexual orientation.
LGBTQ2S+ advocacy group Momentum issued a call out on Wednesday, imploring the federal government to act on what they called a “staggering rise” in hate that the “federal government has failed to take decisive action.”..Source: ctvnews.ca/