Territorial government releases LGBTQ2S+ action plan

Thursday, 15 July 2021 14:25

By Dylan MacNeil

Jeanie McLean announces LGBTQ2S+ action plan. (Facebook - Government of Yukon)

It includes over 100 calls to action.

The government of Yukon has released their action plan to improve LGBTQ2S+ inclusion.

The plan is aimed at making government programs and services more inclusive and accessible to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and Two-Spirit+ communities.

This morning, Minister Responsible for the Women’s Directorate Jeanie McLean spoke at a press conference announcing the plan, they went over some of the more than 100 calls to action it outlines.

“One is, modernize and standardize how we collect sex and gender data. Another is, implement sexual orientation and gender identity policies and encourage schools to support gender and sexuality alliances or similar clubs. One more is, support businesses and organizations in the hospitality and tourism sectors to provide management and staff with LGBTQ2S+ competency training,” said McLean.

Queer Yukon Society Executive Director Joe Wickenhauser also spoke. They say the federal government is working on an action plan as well, but as far as they know, Quebec is the only other province or territory with an action plan for their residents.

“These are issues we regularly hear our communities talk about, experiences with health care providers who don’t understand LGBTQ2S+ realities, challenges that two spirit, trans, and non binary experience trying to navigate complex health care pathways in order to receive gender affirming care, students who experience bullying or harassment at school based on sexual orientation or gender identity or are misgendered in the classroom, community members simply needing a washroom to use where they wont experience fear of violence, harassment, or intimidation, employees wondering how their co-workers will react if they come out in their work place, and if this would affect their job security or advancement opportunities,” said Wickenhauser.

In a year, a progress report will be done to report back to the community on the status of initiatives. A public survey will also be conducted within two years ensure the plan is reflecting the community’s needs.

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