International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
May 17 was chosen as the International Day Against Homophobia
and Transphobia because homosexuality was
removed from the International
Classification of Diseases of the World
Health Organization (WHO) on May 17, 1992. Prior to the WHO
removing it from the classification of
diseases, homosexuality was considered a mental illness. This
put an end to over a century of homophobia in the medical field.
This year, May 17 will mark the day that “Toby’s Bill”, an Act
to amend the Ontario Human Rights Code respecting gender
identity, is being reintroduced in the Legislative Assembly and
a press conference is being scheduled that day. Under the Code,
every person has the right to equal treatment without
discrimination because of sex, which includes gender identity.
However, the Code does not explicitly recognize gender identity
as one of the prohibited grounds of discrimination.
Rainbow Health Network and Trans Health Lobby Group will be
hosting a lunch reception for the Members of Provincial
Parliament (MPPs) on Monday, May 17 at Queen's Park.
Please support the introduction of this bill by attending
Queen’s Park or by e-mailing your MPPs and demanding that they
support equality for all peoples.
