Nova Scotia's human rights watchdog says it is “deeply concerned” about growing levels of hatred against the LGBTQ+ community in the province and across the country.
In a news release today, the province's Human Rights Commission urged all Nova Scotians to stand up for the rights of LGBTQ+ people.
The watchdog noted that a recent poll by Paris-based research firm Ipsos showed Canada had the biggest drop in support for queer and transgender people among the 23 countries surveyed.
The results showed that support for LGBTQ+ couples kissing or holding hands in public dropped most significantly in Canada, with 40% in favor and 19% opposed – a drop of 8% from 2021.
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Canada had the second-largest drop in support for LGBTQ+ people being open about their sexual orientation and identity, behind only Mexico, with 49% in favor and 15% opposed — a 12% drop over the same period.
The province's human rights commission also pointed to a Canadian Security Intelligence Service notice issued earlier this year warning of an increased risk of extreme violence against queer and transgender people.
The commission said the province's Human Rights Code prohibits any differential treatment based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
“Some public statements have led us to believe that the presence of queer and transgender people threatens the rights and safety of others,” the commission said in a news release. “Such statements are baseless and serve only to divide us. All people living in this province have the right to live in peace, free from fear and harassment, as enshrined in the law.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 10, 2024.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
