During the month of June, we celebrate Pride Month by honouring, uplifting and recognizing the vibrant and diverse 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The 2SLGBTQIA+ community has fought for acceptance, inclusion, and civil rights for decades. Pride began in the 1970s as a protest and will continue to be a protest until equal rights and justice are received for all. In solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, COPE Ontario will continue to support future protests, movements and fights for justice and equity.
In 2023, we saw a resurgence of unacceptable actions, hate speech and violence against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, specifically trans people, drag queens and Black, Indigenous, and racialized members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. According to Statistics Canada there has been a 64% rise in hate crimes targeting sexual orientation across Canada since 2020. This increase reflects a fight from prejudiced and discriminatory people trying to strip the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities of their rights. These groups under attack are at the forefront of the fight for justice, equality and acceptance and we will continue to support and uplift the voices of those that are under attack.
COPE Ontario condemns these injustices and will continue to support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to create inclusive and safe workplaces and environments. COPE Ontario supports the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to continue to push forward in the fight for equity for all, and we will not stop until justice, civil rights and equality are upheld.
As members of a union spanning across a wide variety of public and private sectors, we must continue the fight to eliminate hate and inequalities from our workplaces, our communities and in all areas of society.