May 17, 2020
Unifor marks the 2020 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOT) with love and solidarity for people of all sexual and gender minorities.
Despite the challenging and unprecedented times we are living through, Unifor remains resolved to continue the fight against homophobia and transphobia.
As we resurface after this crisis and begin to build a better world, that world must do away with the inequalities and oppression that lead to discrimination.
The LGBTQ community in Canada is disproportionately affected by the economic consequences of the pandemic because of historic and structural oppression that cause more queer and trans people to live in homelessness and work in low-wage and precarious jobs.
Trans people experience significant barriers in access to health care in general and have less access to primary care physicians in particular, a problem amplified by this pandemic.
These barriers can and must be broken down.
In difficult times, we must protect each other. We cannot allow the struggles of our sisters, brothers, and all workers to be neglected. Instead, stories of workers from equity seeking groups should be celebrated and shared!
IDAHOT and Pride will look different this year. Parades, picnics, and community gatherings of all kinds are being cancelled, postponed and pushed down the line. Local Pride Committee events and meetings have been cancelled but that will not stop us from connecting with each other and having our voices heard. For now, we must find new ways of celebrating and building community from a distance.
Unifor encourages LGBTQ members to Shout Your Pride in 2020.
This year for IDAHOT, Unifor encourages local unions, committees and members to create original digital posts, memes, and videos to counter homophobia and transphobia and to share positive stories from queer and trans members.
Don’t forget to use the hashtag #UniforPride