Nearly $24 million will be committed over the next five years to combat homophobia and transphobia in Quebec. The minister responsible for this dossier, Martine Biron, presented her plan on Thursday in Montreal.
This is the highest amount ever donated to this cause in Quebec since Jean Charest's Liberal government adopted the first-ever plan to combat homophobia in 2011.
A total of $23.7 million will be used to fund the Plan to Combat Homophobia and Transphobia 2023-2028. This is more than double the amount invested in the previous plan, about $10 million for the 2017-2022 period.
This new plan will focus on three main objectives: ensuring the stability and continuity of community action, promoting respect for the rights of LGBTQ+ people and improving public service practices.
The plan presented by Minister Biron includes 44 measures. Some are from the previous plan and have been improved. Others are completely new.
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Martine Biron is responsible for the fight against homophobia and transphobia within the Legault government.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Sylvain Roy Roussel
A timely plan
In fact, several events in recent months have caused concern among stakeholders in the LGBTQ+ community in Quebec.
For example, the lack of a trans or non-binary person on the committee of elders that addresses gender identity issues has drawn much criticism.
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The Committee of Wise Men announced by Family Minister Suzanne Roy must submit its report in winter 2025.
Photo: Radio-Canada
This week the decision is made to postpone any decision regarding the use of the gender marker until 2025 at the earliest
During this time, some wondered why Minister Biron was slow to present her plan to combat homophobia and transphobia 2023-2028, as this plan was expected to be presented in September.
The lion's share of community organizations
As much as $11 million, or nearly half of the available money, will be used to fund community organizations and strengthen support networks for sexually and gender diverse people.
Among other things, the government plans to create an LGBTQ+ award from 2024 as well as a web directory that will bring together all the tools and resources developed as part of the Fight Plan.
Approximately $4.6 million should be invested to recognize sexual and gender diversity through an awareness strategy for the general public. More targeted content for the sports community and, in particular, health professionals is also planned.
The Office to Combat Homophobia and Transphobia will receive $4 million to ensure its sustainability in the Quebec government.
The remaining several million dollars will be used, among other things, to create information tools about the rights of LGBTQ+ people and to train public employees on the realities that LGBTQ+ people experience.