May 17: International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Every year around the world, International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHT) is celebrated on May 17. For this occasion, the CHUM and the CRCHUM reaffirm their commitment to creating and maintaining healthy, inclusive and caring health care, teaching, research and work environments, and to showing their support for their entire community and partners on the subject of sexual and gender diversity.  

At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are significantly decreasing worldwide (reference), the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee is carrying out various initiatives in support of LGBTQ+ communities, including participating in Fierté Montréal next August. 

Did you know? 

In 1977, Quebec became the first province in Canada to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. In 2016, prohibition of discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression was added to the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. Meanwhile, in 2003, the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia was born in Quebec thanks to Fondation Émergence.  

Raising awareness about these issues is a part of the EDI Committee’s tasks. Some biases and barriers still exist in Canada for sexually and gender diverse people. For example: 

• In a study conducted in Canada, nearly one in ten participants admitted to having previously avoided accessing a health service because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This number rises to 30% among trans people (reference).
• Sexual minority Canadians were more likely than heterosexual Canadians to report poor or fair mental health (32% vs. 11%) (reference).
• 17% of Canadians strongly agree and 43% somewhat agree that disclosing their sexual orientation at work can be harmful to their career (reference).  

To dig deeper, you can download the LGBTQPHOBE agenda (reference).

Visit the relevant sections on the CHUM and Université de Montréal’s affiliated hospital research centre, the CRCHUM, websites to learn more about actions taken on equity, diversity and inclusion. We are committed to continuing to develop inclusive projects and supporting other initiatives that prioritize the needs of all human beings. 
 

The CHUM EDI Committee 

The CRCHUM EDI Committee