Statement from Peter Bevan-Baker on Protecting the Rights and Safety of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community
Charlottetown, PE - Last night during the CBC Leaders Debate, party leaders were posed a question about what we would do to protect the rights and safety of members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. None of us on the stage did a good enough job answering that question. For my part in that, I apologize.
I want to provide a more comprehensive answer to the question now and share our Party’s further commitments to protecting and advancing the rights of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community on Prince Edward Island.
First of all, let me be unequivocal: the Green Party and I stand with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The rise in hate and violence against the community calls on all of us, especially leaders, to stand strong and speak out against transphobia, homophobia, and discrimination of any kind against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. When the lives and safety of 2SLGBTQIA+ Islanders are at risk, it’s imperative that political parties communicate clearly what they are doing to make our Island safe and inclusive.
In addition to existing platform commitments, to support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, a Green government is committed to:
ensuring organizations like Pride PEI have stable, predictable and adequate multi-year operational funding;
improving access to gender-affirming healthcare, including reducing out-of-pocket costs related to out-of-province care;
eliminating the financial and medical barriers that exist in relation to name change applications;
expanding education efforts in schools, workplaces, and in government to reduce intolerance and promote inclusivity; and
collaborating with Islanders to create diversity training for police, along with catch-up training and regular refresher training.
Last night’s debate is a reminder that all parties need to do a better job addressing the concerns of 2SLGBTQIA+ Islanders, and the Green Party commits to working with the community to support them in whatever capacity it can.
Peter Bevan-Baker
Leader of the Green Party of Prince Edward Island
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Jonathan Hamel
Director of Communications, Green Party of PEI
Tel: (902) 916-7816
Email: jonathan.hamel@greenparty.pe.ca
