Message from Kathryn Oviatt, Chief of the Commission and Tribunals, Alberta Human Rights Commission
(March 20, 2023)
Condemning discrimination against the 2SLGBTQI+ community in Alberta
Hate-motivated incidents against transgender people have been on the rise in Alberta. These incidents have sadly involved escalating intimidation and harassment of the 2SLGBTQI+ community in both public and private spaces.
Diversity in Alberta should be celebrated, not attacked. The Commission would like to extend our solidarity to all members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, and to the transgender community in particular. This pervasive and persistent hate is not acceptable and should not be tolerated in Alberta.
We uphold the principles of equality and justice for all, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic in the Alberta Human Rights Act. We condemn all forms of violence or intimidation in the strongest terms.
According to the Alberta Hate Crimes Committee’s
January 2023 report, which tracked hate incidents reported to them from February 2017 through December 2022, 10 per cent of hate incidents targeted the LGBTQ+ community. This is in spite of the fact that LGBTQ2+ people only account for 4 per cent of Canada’s total population aged 15 and older in 2018, according to
Statistics Canada’s 2021 data.
Sadly, these numbers are not unusual. According to the Government of Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan Survey, 39 per cent of people who identify as 2SLGBTQI+
reported experiencing violence or discrimination directed at their sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression in the last five years.
Hate has serious consequences for already marginalized groups and can create a culture of fear for other minority populations across the province. We must all work to protect and nurture diversity in our communities.
Bias, prejudice, and hate have no place in our society. All Albertans have a right to feel safe, welcome, and free from discrimination and harassment. We must not let the voices of intolerance drown out the voices of equality and acceptance. We must work together to protect the rights of all people, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized, and create a world where everyone can live their lives to the fullest, free from discrimination and prejudice.
The Commission stands with the 2SLGBTQI+ community and would like to send a clear message that hate and harassment have no place in Alberta. We will continue to work to combat transphobia, homophobia, and other forms of discrimination and hate.
