Arts & Culture

To urge continued and strengthened support for the arts and culture sectors, with particular emphasis on the development of queer culture, and its appreciation rather than it being targeted for censorship or prosecution.

Take Action!

1.) Join Queer Ontario and assist in devising campaigns to challenge government for clearer legislation and administrative procedures and to promote and appreciate queer culture

2.) Monitor and counter the promotion of hate towards queers, for instance, in ‘murder music’

3.) Counter the censorship of queer films, books, magazines, and art

4.) Support the work of arts-based advocacy groups

Inclusion of ‘Gender Identity’ in the Ontario Human Rights Code

In Ontario, trans people have no explicit legislative human rights protections.  Queer Ontario supports the Ontario Trans Human Rights Campaign in calling for the inclusion of ‘gender identity’ in the Ontario Human Rights Code as recognized prohibited grounds against discrimination and harassment.

Take Action!

1.) Sign the “Trans Rights are Human Rights” Petition

2.) Become educated and challenge transphobia

3.) Contact your MPP and demand that they support an amendment to the Ontario Human Rights Code to include ‘Gender Identity’

4.) Write a letter to Premier McGuinty and Attorney General Bentley to demand they take action and amend the Ontario Human Rights Code to include ‘gender identity’.

5.) Join Queer Ontario and/or the Ontario Trans Human Rights Campaign and support the campaign by volunteering or making a financial contribution.

Poverty/Employment Issues

Address issues of poverty in all its forms and continued workplace discrimination and harassment based on gender identity and sexual orientation with government, human rights commissions, labour boards, labour unions, etc.

Take Action!

1.) Ensure equity policies, procedures and standards are inclusive of queer employees and implemented at one’s own workplace

2.) Organize workshops and awareness days

3.) Coalition work with anti-poverty and employment issues organizations

4.) Join and support the work of queer committees of labour unions