MontrĂŠal, 27 mars 2014
Object: Official position on inclusion of Transphobia to May 17
Ms. Doolittle-Romas, The Centre for Gender Advocacy would like to know the official position of the Canadian AIDS Society in regards to the addition of transphobia to the official day to fight homophobia held on May 17. We would further like to know if the Canadian AIDS Society has plans to move towards using the international name of May 17 which is International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. As you probably know, an international movement tends to include significantly trans issues in the fight for LGBT rights. Several organizations such as the Human Rights Commission, Egale Canada, the American Psychological Association (APA), the Canadian Labour Congress, the Canadian Association of University Teachers, the United Nations and UNESCO have made the move towards this new name. This trend is also visible in more than 60 countries including France, Australia, England and Spain who all change their approach to the day of May 17 to formally include transphobia. We believe that this approach, although sometimes symbolic, can help to make visible the issues related to violence often based on gender identity and gender expression. It is also a simple way for organizations known and heard to raise awareness on these issues. As for the Canadian AIDS society, it would be a strong recognition communities who have been supporting and is still supporting the ongoing CANAIDS research involving trans people in Canada.
Regards Gabrielle Bouchard Peer support and Trans advocacy coordinator Centre for gender advocacy