Trudeau names special advisor on LGBTQ2 issues

Nov 16 2016, 3:27 am

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has named Randy Boissonnault, MP for Edmonton Centre, the first special advisor on LGBTQ2 issues.

Boissonnault will advise Trudeau on Canada’s efforts to work with LGBTQ2 organizations to promote equality and address discrimination.

In a release issued, the prime minister said Canada had made great strides in securing legal rights for the LGBTQ2 community – but there was more to be done.

“The fight to end discrimination is not over and a lot of hard work still needs to be done,” said Trudeau. “Canadians know our country is made stronger because of our diversity, not in spite of it.”

The move comes only a day after it was revealed the Canadian government will repeal the law that criminalizes anal sex for under 18s.

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Criminal Code Section 159 states anyone who has anal sex can be jailed for up to 10 years, unless they are “husband and wife” or over 18 years old, and the sex is consensual.

The change will end discrimination between the age of consent for anal intercourse and vaginal intercourse. Both will now be legal at age 16.

These issues were highlighted in a report issued by the Egale Canada Human Rights Trust in June, which detailed discrimination faced by the LGBTQ2 community.

One month earlier, the Canadian government tabled Bill C-16, which would make gender identity and gender expression prohibited grounds for discrimination.

Jenni SheppardJenni Sheppard

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