Apology to LGBTQ community first step toward healing
TheStar.com – Opinion/Editorials – Even as he makes history, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s apology on behalf of Canadians will not be the end of this matter. Rather, it will be a welcome step toward a more just society.
Nov. 20, 2017. By
Apology, when sincere and unequivocal, is the essential lubricant in human relations and one of the most profound, if difficult, events that can take place between individuals, groups or nations.
That Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced he will formally apologize in the House of Commons on Nov. 28 for Canada’s history of “persecution and injustices” inflicted on sexual minorities can only be applauded.
The record of how LGBTQ2 Canadians were treated by their own government, and the human pain and cost that resulted because of that treatment, is egregious.
The “We Demand an Apology Network,” for one, has chronicled national security campaigns to purge homosexuals from Canada’s public service, the RCMP and the military. From the 1950s to the early 1990s, thousands of federal employees were fired simply because they were lesbian, gay or bisexual. The RCMP had a database in the 1960s of some 9,000 “expected” gay men and lesbians working in the federal government. For many, their careers, livelihoods, relationships and health were ruined.
“People were watched, followed, interrogated and purged from their jobs,” the network has said. Lives were lost to suicide.
Among other things, LGBTQ2 advocates say the government should compensate victims, ensure honourable discharges are recorded for those discharged from the military for being homosexual and grant pardons to those convicted for consensual homosexual activities during years when such acts were illegal.
“An apology for the wrongs committed by the Government of Canada against LGBT people is the least that is required to begin to right these wrongs,” the Network said in a report last year.
Also in 2016, the advocacy group Egale published “The Just Society Report: Grossly Indecent,” documenting abuses against LGBTQ2 communities and outlining steps the government should take by way of redress.
The artful title drew, of course, on the late prime minister Pierre Trudeau’s promise to Canadians and the legal phrase under which gay Canadians were prosecuted.
“Canada has a tragic history of state-sponsored homophobia, biphobia and transphobia,” said the report, dedicated to countless thousands of Canadians who suffered persecution “because of who they are and who they loved.”
As both groups rightly made clear, words will not be enough.
To be effective, apologies must acknowledge the offence and harms done. They must express remorse. They must undertake to learn from the experience and not repeat offensive behaviours. And they must make reparation.
“Substantive equality is impossible without honouring the full truth of historical queer injustice,” the Egale report said. “All queer Canadians deserve truth and reconciliation for the historical misuses of state power that eroded their human dignity.”
Even as he makes history, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s apology on behalf of Canadians will not be the end of this matter.
Rather, it will be a welcome step toward a more just society.
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2017/11/20/apology-to-lgbtq-community-first-step-toward-healing-editorial.html
Tags: featured, ideology, mental Health, participation, rights, standard of living
This entry was posted on Monday, November 20th, 2017 at 12:00 pm and is filed under Inclusion Policy Context. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
306 Responses to “Apology to LGBTQ community first step toward healing”
« Older Comments | Newer Comments »
Leave a Reply
Recent Comments
I dont think Ive caught all the angles of this subject the way youve pointed them out. Youre a true star, a rock star man. Youve got so much to say and know so much about the subject that I think you should just teach a class about it
Howdy, a helpful article for sure. Thank you.
If most people wrote about this subject with the eloquence that you just did, I’m sure people would do much more than just read, they act. Great stuff here. Please keep it up.
You need to really control the comments listed here
Howdy! I simply wish to give a huge thumbs up for the great information you have here on this post. I will be coming again to your weblog for extra soon.
These kind of posts are always inspiring and I prefer to read quality content so I happy to find many good point here in the post. writing is simply wonderful! thank you for the post
The post is absolutely fantastic! Lots of great info and inspiration, both of which we all need! Also like to admire the time and effort you put into your website and detailed info you offer! I will bookmark your website!
I love what you’ve created here, this is definitely one of my favorite sites to visit.
I just couldnt leave your website before saying that I really enjoyed the useful information you offer to your visitors… Will be back often to check up on new stuff you post!
When we look at these issues, we know that they are the key ones for our time.
Saw your material, and hope you publish more soon.
I can’t go into details, but I have to say its a good article!
This is the wave – the big wave.
You appear to know so much about this, and I see you’re a published author. Thanks
Just want to say what a great blog you got here!I’ve been around for quite a lot of time, but finally decided to show my appreciation of your work!
There is perceptibly a lot to identify about this. I consider you made some good points in features also.
While this issue can vexed most people, my thought is that there has to be a middle or common ground that we all can find. I do value that you’ve added pertinent and sound commentary here though. Thank you!
I think I will become a great follower.Just want to say your post is striking. The clarity in your post is simply striking and i can take for granted you are an expert on this subject.
Simply want to say your article is as amazing. The clarity in your post is just great and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.
When are you going to post again? You really entertain me!