the commission des droits de la personne et des droits de

PRESS RELEASE
Embargo until Tuesday, March 6, 2007 at 3:00 P.M.
THE COMMISSION DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE ET DES DROITS DE LA JEUNESSE TABLES
THE REPORT OF THE JOINT TASK FORCE ON HOMOPHOBIA WITH THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE
Montréal, March 6, 2007 – The Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse released today a report on homophobia, De l’égalité juridique à l’égalité sociale (From Legal Equality to Social Equality).
The commitment of the Commission in the fight against homophobi a
In June 2005, the Minister of Justice asked the Commission to draw up a list of the problems currently
created by homophobia and draft recommendations. The recommendations made in this report engage
the sole responsibility of the Commission, but are based on the possibilities for action defined by the Joint
Task Force on Homophobia. The Task Force was composed of representatives of ministries, public and
community organizations, as well as unions and universities.
In 1994, the Commission published an initial report on the violence and discrimination encountered by
gays and lesbians, which was used by the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community in
its fight to win recognition for the rights of the members of sexual minorities. Since then, several key advances have been made: in 1999, same-sex couples were granted the same rights and privileges as opposite-sex couples; in 2002, the parental authority of same-sex parents was legally recognized; and in
2005, same-sex couples won the right to marry.
Ongoing social inequalities
The work of the Joint Task Force on Homophobia reveals that sexual minority members still encounter
discrimination at school, in the workplace and in the family, as well as in other sectors such as health care, social services, sports and leisure activities. While legal equality is now attained, there is still work to
do to reach real social equality.
In Québec, suicide is one of the leading causes of death among people aged 15 to 29. A worrying aspect
of this trend is that, depending on the study consulted, young gay or bisexual males are between six and
sixteen times more likely to have suicidal thoughts or to attempt suicide than young male heterosexuals.
Similarly, young lesbians are more likely to have suicidal thoughts and are almost five times more likely to
attempt suicide than young heterosexual females. “The despair felt by too many sexual minority young
people at the sensitive age when they “come out” is, in itself, sufficient reason to act”, says Marc-André
Dowd, vice-president of the Commission.
Towards a Québec-wide strategy against homophobia
Based on these observations, the Commission recommends the adoption of a Québec-wide strategy
against homophobia, based on the implementation of a government policy and plan of action.
In its report, the Commission identifies current shortcomings such as the lack of information, awareness
and training, and the need to adapt services to the requirements of the sexual minorities. It also highlights
the need to gather scientific knowledge and to support LGBT community organizations.
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The Commission also recommends that the Government appoint a minister responsible for drafting and
implementing a future policy against homophobia, and for establishing the structures and funding required
to ensure its success.
“The Commission undertakes to continue its work against homophobia and to follow up on the recommendations made in the report,” promises Mr. Dowd. “We must now ensure that the various stakeholders
address this issue forcefully.”
The complete text of the report De l’égalité juridique à l’égalité sociale – Vers une stratégie nationale de
lutte contre l’homophobie is available at www.cdpdj.qc.ca (French version only).
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For further information:
Ginette L’Heureux
(514) 873-5146 or 1 800 361-6477 #207 or (514) 249-6181
Diep Truong
(514) 873-5146 or 1 800 361-6477 #358
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