Canadian PM Justin Trudeau To Expand Protections For Trans Community

"We must work diligently to close the gap between our principles and reality."
From: NewNowNext

 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced groundbreaking federal legislation that will guarantee legal and human rights protections to transgender people across Canada.

Trudeau made the announcement upon receiving the Laurent McCutcheon Award, an honor named after the first president of the Montréal LGBT hotline Gai Écoute. The award highlights Trudeau’s deep commitment to the Canadian LGBT community.

“We have worked too hard for us to stop here,” Trudeau said. “Too hard to stop with the progress we have made because I sincerely believe that in Canada we can and we should do more.”

“I believe in a Canada where men can give blood, regardless of their sexual orientation,” he continued. “Where transgender people are protected by the law.”

 Trudeau later stated that the bill would be tabled in the House of Commons today in celebration of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

“We must carry on the legacy of those who fought for justice by being bold and ambitious in our actions,” Trudeau said. “And we must work diligently to close the gap between our principles and reality.”

Though specifics of the legislation have yet to be revealed, it’s sure to include ordinances to protect against workplace discrimination as well as measures to better deal with instances of hate speech.

The move is a bold one, but aligns perfectly with Trudeau’s dedication to equality, as he’s demonstrated in his championing of LGBT rights and feminism, his appointment of a diverse gender-balanced cabinet and the announcement that he would make history as the first Canadian PM to march in a Pride parade.