Horwath's NDP celebrates Pride Month 2021

QUEEN'S PARK — NDP Leader Andrea Horwath released the following statement in celebration of Pride Month 2021:

"Happy Pride! Ontario's New Democrats are proud to stand in solidarity with 2SLGBTQIA+ folks across the province to celebrate the beautiful diversity of our 2SLGBTQIA+ friends and communities.

The Ontario NDP has been proud to fight alongside the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to stamp out hatred and discrimination, and advance equality and justice for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks in our laws, systems, and institutions. 

We have been proud to work together with the Queer and Trans communities to achieve equal parenting rights (2016), ban conversion therapy (2015) and entrench transgender and gender diverse peoples' rights in the Ontario Human Rights Code (2012). 

There's much more work to be done.

We’ll work with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to address inequality, barriers to access and gaps in health care and long-term care. People should not have to fight for health care, should not have to wait longer for health care, and should never receive less care because of who they are — including trans, gender diverse and non-binary folks.

We’re committed to changes like making pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) free and available, ensuring more timely access to fertility programs, making all gender affirming transition drugs and therapies accessible and fully covered by OHIP, and improving access to primary and secondary gender affirming surgeries and transition related procedures, right here in Ontario. We’re also committed to building affirming long-term care, so people can always live with Pride.

This year, we’re especially focusing on the fight for Queer-owned businesses – the local job creators that represent gathering spaces, and deserve the support they need to make it to their re-opening day, and stay open. 

Pride celebrations will look somewhat different again this year due to the pandemic, and we recognize that folks may feel isolated. More than ever, people are facing mental health challenges as a result of this pandemic, and marginalized people including 2SLGBTQIA+ folks  are disproportionately impacted.

But there’s so much hope on the horizon.  2SLGBTQIA+ folks are a community even when they’re apart, and we know the community's strength, love and joy will shine through this Pride Month.

Happy Pride!"

Statement from NDP LGBTQ+ Issues critic on Pride Month 2021

LONDON — Terence Kernaghan, Official Opposition NDP critic for LGBTQ+ Issues, released the following statement in celebration of Pride Month 2021:

“Happy Pride, everyone! This year, and each year, I think of the many successes Ontario’s New Democrats have achieved to promote equity, diversity, and human rights for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This important work helps everyone in our province live with the dignity and respect each of us deserve.

COVID-19 has shone a light on many gaps in our province that must be addressed. Many 2SLGBTQIA+ community members have endured tremendous financial hardship as hospitality, arts, tourism, personal care, and many more businesses and employers were forced to close their doors. New Democrats were proud to champion measures to support small businesses with our Save Main Street Plan in 2019, though the government took well over eight months to implement our positive recommendations, and more still needs to be done.

Any vision for the future of Ontario and the incredible 2SLGBTQIA+ community must also tackle systemic racism, callous social assistance levels, and the lack of access to mental health supports — things that impact the wellbeing of all Ontarians, and disproportionately impact the Queer and Trans community.

I am so proud that Andrea Horwath has a plan for the future that recognizes and addresses the barriers and gaps in health care, long-term care, youth homelessness, and housing which dramatically impact the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Andrea’s plan and the NDP’s unwavering commitment will help build a province where we all belong, where we look forward to the future with hope, and find strength in ourselves and in our community.

While Pride will be different again this year, never forget that a bright future is on the horizon. You are special, you are loved, and together we will build a province where everyone belongs.

Happy Pride!"