GOVERNMENT ACTION PLAN Moving together towards social equality against Unity in diversity homophobia 2011­2016 Moving together towards social equality Unity in diversity This document has been produced by the Ministère de la Justice with assistance from the governement departements involved in the fight against homophobia. Legal deposit – 2011 Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec Library and Archives Canada ISBN : 978­2­550­61959­8 (PDF) © Gouvernement du Québec, 2011 All right reserved for all countries. This document may not be reproduced by any means or translated, even in part, without authorization from the Ministère de la Justice du Québec. Message from the premier It is an unfortunate fact that many people still suffer, today, as the result of homophobic behaviour in Québec society, perhaps because differences, of whatever kind, are noticed—they arouse curiosity, create a reaction, and provoke certain kinds of behaviour. However, it does not take long to realize that Québec society is moving rapidly forward and remains remarkably open­minded. Specifically with regard to recognition for the rights and interests of members of sexual minorities, Québec can take pride in the leading role it plays. Nevertheless, we still have work to do to overcome prejudice. The Government Action Plan Against Homophobia 2011­2016 provides the tools needed by players in all spheres of activity to combat homophobic behaviour. In many cases, although the players are willing to take action, they are unaware of the tools available to them; in other cases, the tools do not yet exist. This action plan offers a path leading to the achievement of the objectives targeted in the Québec Policy Against Homophobia, marking a precedent in North American society. The fundamental principle on which the Government Action Plan Against Homophobia 2011­2016 is based is full recognition and acceptance of sexual minorities. This means an end to intolerance and malevolence. Québec stands for respect and inclusiveness, and will now have the means to meet its objectives. Thanks to this plan, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transsexuals and transgenders will have an assurance that the right of all individuals to achieve their potential and participate fully in all dimensions of life in society remains a key priority for Québec, and that they can rely on the support of their government in their quest for social equality. Although the state plays a key role in the fight against homophobia, it cannot act alone. It relies on a broad range of partners, some of whom are specifically required to protect the interests of sexual minorities. However, all organizations and all individuals are invited to rally round and take part in a fight that will enrich the whole of society, for the greater benefit of the citizens of the future. Jean Charest Premier of Québec III Message from the ministers Discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals and transgenders (LGBT) is unac­ ceptable. All individuals should be free to reveal, or not to reveal, their sexual orientation and to live their lives without being judged, labelled or stigmatized. This is an inalienable right, based on the fundamental principles of justice and freedom which we all support. In December 2009, the Québec government released the Québec Policy Against Homophobia: Moving Together Towards Social Equality. The objective of this major policy initiative was to guide Québec society towards full and complete recognition of sexual minorities. At the same time, we made a commitment to draw up an action plan that would provide social, community and professional support for LGBT and increase our knowledge about sexual diversity. Presented here is the Government Action Plan Against Homophobia 2011­2016, which results from the concerted efforts of eleven government departments that helped define and draft the measures it contains. This milestone document is based directly on the concerns expressed by the many different organizations working to defend the interests of LGBT, who played an active role in the discussions that preceded the drafting process. This government action plan calls on the involvement of all institutions and all Quebecers to ensure that we can live in a society free of all forms of prejudice. Together, over the next five years, we will increase our efforts to improve the situation of sexual minorities. The actions set out in the plan, whether focused on the long term or on everyday life, will help ensure that Québec becomes a fairer, more tolerant society that is rich in its diver­ sity. They will also allow Québec to retain its leadership role in the field of social equality, for the benefit of current and future generations. Jean­Marc Fournier Geoffrey Kelley Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Québec Minister responsible for Native Affairs Minister responsible for the fi ght against homophobia Laurent Lessard Line Beauchamp Minister of Municipal Affairs, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports Regions and Land Occupancy Yves Bolduc Christine St­Pierre Minister of Health and Social Services Minister of Culture, Communications and the Status of Women Julie Boulet Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity Lise Thériault Minister of Labour Robert Dutil Minister of Public Security Kathleen Weil Minister of Immigration Yolande James and Cultural Communities Minister of Families V Acknowledgements Production of this action plan was made possible with the participation of the members of the task force on homophobia: Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine Marcelle Gendreau Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport Annik Lemieux Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale Mike Rousseau Ministère de la Famille et des Aînés Améline Bourque Donald Baillargeon Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés Culturelles Roger Noël Ministère de la Justice Sonia Beaudoin Johanne Bédard Elaine Blackburn Anik Mimeault Marie­Ève Thériault Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux Michel Lavallée Ministère de la Sécurité publique Lucie Michaud Ministère du Travail Patrice Tremblay VII We thank the following government departments and bodies who helped develop the action plan: École nationale de police Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l’Occupation du territoire Ministère du Conseil exécutif par le biais du Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones et du Secrétariat à la jeunesse Registrar of Civil Status We also thank the following community organizations who generously agreed to take part in the consul­ tations that preceded the drafting of the action plan: Association des transsexuels et transsexuelles du Québec Centre communautaire des gais et lesbiennes de Montréal Collectif de travail LGBT (Comité de liaison) Fondation Émergence and Gai Écoute Gris­Montréal Université du Québec à Montréal VIII Definitions For the purposes of this action plan, “heterosexism”, “homophobia” and “sexual minorities” mean: Heterosexism: Affirmation of heterosexuality as a social norm or the highest form of sexual orientation; social practice that conceals the diversity of sexual orientations and identities in everyday representations, social relations and social institutions, in particular by taking for granted that all people are heterosexual. Homophobia: All negative attitudes leading to the rejection of and direct or indirect discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transsexuals and transgenders, or against persons whose appearance or behaviour does not conform to masculine or feminine stereotypes. Sexual minorities: Inclusive term for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals and transgenders. The definitions are taken from the report De l’égalité juridique à l’égalité sociale by the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse. In this action plan, the term “homophobia” includes the notion of “transphobia”, defined as follows: Transphobia: All negative attitudes leading to the rejection of and direct or indirect discrimination against transsexuals, transgenders and transvestites, or against persons who cross the lines of gender and sex or of gender and sex representations.1 1 Definition elaborate in collaboration with AlterHéros, L’Association des transsexuels et des transsexuelles du Québec, Projet 10, Centre 2110, Coalition jeunesse Montréalaise de lutte contre l’homophobie and Le Conseil québécois des gais et lesbiennes. IX Abbreviations ENPQ École nationale de police du Québec GDA Gender­differentiated analysis HSSA Health and social services agencies LGB Lesbians, gays and bisexuals LGBT Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals and transgenders LSN Local services network MAMROT Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l’Occupation territoriale MCCCF Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine MCE Ministère du Conseil exécutif MELS Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport MESS Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale MFA Ministère de la Famille et des Aînés MICC Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles MJQ Ministère de la Justice MSP Ministère de la Sécurité publique MSSS Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux MTRAV Ministère du Travail RCS Registrar of Civil Status SAA Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones SACAIS Secrétariat à l’action communautaire autonome et aux initiatives sociales SAJ Secrétariat à la jeunesse X Table of contents INTRODUCTION 1 PRIORITY 1: Recognize the realities faced by sexual minorities 3 Objective 1: Raise awareness