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Hello Everyone,
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This is a quick and joyous note to let you know that, as of 10:04 am today, Ontario became the first province in Canada (and the second jurisdiction, after the Northwest Territories) to accept ‘gender identity’ and ‘gender expression’ as protected grounds in its Human Rights Code. That is, Toby’s Act — or Bill 33, a bill to include ‘gender identity’ and ‘gender expression’ as protected grounds in the Ontario Human Rights Code — ceremoniously passed third reading and is set to receive royal ascent in the next couple of days. (Xtra!’s story, here: http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Ontario_passes_trans_rights_bill-12122.aspx)
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A special note of thanks goes out to NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo, Liberal MPP Yasir Naqvi, and Progressive Conservative MPP Christine Elliott for supporting and championing this fourth version of the bill. And, of course: to the Trans Lobby Group for its unfaltering activism.
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Indeed, here’s hoping that the related bills being considered federally and in Manitoba are just as successful,
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Martin Otarola
Queer Ontario Secretary
On behalf of the Queer Ontario Steering Committee
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This is just a quick note reminding everyone that Bill 33, also known as Toby’s Act, will be given its third and final reading tomorrow at 9:00 am in the Ontario Legislature.
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The Bill, which seeks to amend the Ontario Human Rights Code to include ‘gender identity’ and ‘gender expression’ as protected grounds, is supported by all three political parties in Ontario. This is the fourth time the bill has been considered by the Legislative Assembly. http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=2574
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A special thanks goes out to the Trans Lobby Group and MPP Cheri DiNovo for fighting so hard to get this Bill accepted and passed.
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An Invitation to Witness the Final Vote
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As with the second reading of the Bill, it is expected to pass this third time with very few, if any, opposition. The second reading of the bill was passed unanimously.
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We encourage you to come down to the Ontario Legislature to accompany the Trans Lobby Group in the witnessing of this historical event; or, if you are unable to make it in person, you can witness it online: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/go2.jsp?Page=/webcast/webcast_main&locale=en&menuItem=dandp_webcast
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We expect to hear some good news come 11:00 tomorrow morning,
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Martin Otarola
Queer Ontario Secretary
On behalf of the Queer Ontario Steering Committee
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Hi Everyone,
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I’m sending this message to inform all of the social, legal, cultural and historical importance of Bill 33, Toby’s Act: Right to be Free from Discrimination and Harassment Because of Gender Identity or Gender Expression, 2012.  On Monday, June 11, 2012 Queer Ontario deputed before the Ontario Legislative Standing Committee on Social Policy with regard to this Bill urging them to pass it.  See the Queer Ontario deputation at: http://queerontario.org/2012/06/11/bill33-deputation/
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This is somewhat lengthy, but I ask that you bear with me as their is some important information here I wanted to share.
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Significance to Trans Communities:  It goes without saying that this Bill is long overdue to ensure the social recognition and legal protections needed for the trans communities.  Trans people have been calling for this for a very long time, the Bill is currently in its fourth (4th) attempt at being passed and the Ontario Human Rights Commission has been calling for the inclusion of ‘gender identity’ in the Ontario Human Rights Code since 1999.  Queer Ontario, with a mandate that addresses the needs of gender and sexual diverse people inclusive of trans and genderqueer communities strongly supports the passage of Bill 33.  For our comprehensive position on this Bill, see our deputation at http://queerontario.org/2012/06/11/bill33-deputation/
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Significance to Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals:  Following Queer Ontario’s deputation, the Ontario Human Rights Commission as represented by Barbara Hall, Chief Human Rights Commissioner, deputed.  Clearly in support of Bill 33 to ensure social and legal recognition and protections, she outlined a series of amendments to the Bill.  One of the amendments involves enumerating ‘sexual orientation’ under sections 2(2) and 5(2) dealing with harassment.  This is a long-standing recommendation by both the Ontario Human Rights Commission and the LGB communities.  25 years ago when our predecessor, the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario (CLGRO) succeeded in getting ‘sexual orientation’ added to the Ontario Human Rights Code following an 11-year campaign, the primary activists involved recognized it wasn’t a complete victory, as harassment was not covered.  The NDP’s Cheri DiNovo, who is shepherding Toby’s Act through Parliament indicated that the NDP would be using the OHRC amendments for the Bill.  There is now an opportunity to redress this gap within Bill 33.
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Historical Significance:  The anticipated passage of Bill 33 holds great historical significance at this particular time in queer history:
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– Passage would take place just over 25 years after ‘sexual orientation’ was added to the OHRC

– Inclusion of ‘gender identity’ and ‘gender expression’ in the OHRC could come into place during the same week the Ontario Human Rights Commission has its 50th anniversary

– The vote for Bill 33 is to take place on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 exactly 13 years to the day (June 13, 1999) police raided the Bijou, a gay/bisexual sex bar/theatre (since closed) in downtown Toronto.
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We have come a long way as a queer community.  This is one of those rare times, close on the heels of the recently successful passage of Bill 13 Accepting Schools Act addressing bullying and GSAs we are on the verge of another successful bill passage.  To witness a highly anticipated historic moment attend the third (3rd) reading and vote on Bill 33 at Queen’s Park on Wednesday morning, June 13, 2012 at 9:00 AM.
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All the best,
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Nick Mulé
Chairperson,
Queer Ontario
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