Recently, much attention has been drawn to the suicides of queer youth in the United States. The media and many public figures are now speaking out about what has largely remained unrecognized: that homophobic, transphobic, and biphobic bullying are devastating our schools. Egale Canada would like to point out that while these deaths are particularly striking and deserving of mourning and somber reflection, the heinous face of the discrimination and harassment behind them is nothing new and certainly not only cause for concern in the United States. Egale appeals to all Canadians to recognize homophobic, transphobic, and biphobic bullying in our schools and to act to prevent it before more lives are lost.

According to Egale’s First National School Climate Survey on Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia in Canadian Schools, two-thirds of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirited, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) students feel unsafe at school. These feelings are unfortunately understandable given the often violent realities of Canadian schools: just over half (51%) of LGBTQ students have been verbally harassed and 21% have been physically harassed or assaulted about their sexual orientation. These numbers increase dramatically in regards to trans youth, almost three quarters of whom have been verbally harassed about their gender expression and more than a third (37%) of whom have been physically harassed or assaulted about their gender.

In the coming days and weeks, vigils are being held across Canada to mourn the losses of youth’s lives as a result of homophobic, transphobic, and biphobic bullying. To find events near you, consult the Queer Calendar on MyGSA.ca, the national safer schools and inclusive education website. If you are planning an event, please post it there so that others in your community can commemorate with you. To find resources of all kinds for LGBTQ youth, refer to the Regional Directory and the GSA Directory.

Let us all consider the ways in which we can do more to motivate our communities to be active and put an end to the discrimination and abuse that so brutally effects our youth. Our communities throughout Canada have the power to create safer and more inclusive schools for everyone. Let’s put our collective strength to work before more lives are lost.

Egale is Canada’s LGBT human rights organization: advancing equality, diversity, education and justice.

Helen Kennedy
Executive Director

Egale Canada is Canada's LGBT human rights organization: advancing equality, diversity, education, and justice.
Support our work: become a member or renew your membership for 2010.

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