Summer of Pride
Published by Patrick June 13th, 2006 in Around the Province, Pride Tags: egale, Human Rights, Pride, pride-parade.
The PSAC, along with our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender sisters and brothers invite you to celebrate the various “Pride” events happening in cities and communities across Canada in June or August.
“Pride Week” marks the anniversary of the “Stonewall Riots” which occurred in New York City in June of 1969. The Riots were the turning point in the increased resistance to oppression and harassment caused by policy and by government officials. A strong, diverse community of “Pride” has evolved since the riots and the PSAC is proud to be part of the continuing struggle.
Those celebrations underscore the social, political and legal gains made by this community during the last few decades in Canada.
The PSAC has made several gains at the bargaining tables to ensure that all negotiated benefits are available to same-sex couples. More recently, the PSAC National Board of Directors adopted a recommendation to permanently place the National Day against Homophobia (May 17) on the PSAC National Calendar as an officially recognized and celebrated day, along with other equity days.
The PSAC also stands firmly with the labour movement across Canada in continuing to uphold the Charter rights of gays, lesbians, and bisexual and transgender people. This includes supporting a same-sex marriage law that respects freedom of religion while allowing all Canadians the freedom to marry the person they choose regardless of sexual orientation. In July 2005, the PSAC stood proud along side the majority of Canadians when Parliament proclaimed that same-sex couples are equal in value and equal in law. This meant that after years of debate and unanimous rulings by courts in 8 provinces and the Yukon, equal marriage became the law of the land.
This right is now being threatened. Prime Minister Harper’s Conservative government insists there will be a free vote this fall in the House of Commons on to challenge the right to same sex marriage.
The PSAC will continue to fully support the Canadians for Equal Marriage (CEM) campaign. The PSAC strongly encourages members to visit the CEM website (http://www.equal-marriage.ca/) and get involved in the actions to make a difference in the upcoming vote in Parliament.