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From YouTube: MAY 9 2023 Statements Renee Merrifield
Description
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
4th Session
42nd Parliament
A
Member
for
Kelowna
Mission.
Thank
you
honorable
speaker.
Well,
today,
I
rise
in
the
house
to
recognize
the
International
Day
against
homophobia,
transphobia
and
biphobia,
which
is
celebrated
every
year
on
May
17th.
This
day
is
an
important
opportunity
to
raise
awareness
about
the
ongoing
discrimination,
violence
and
marginalization
faced
by
lesbian,
gay,
bisexual
trans,
queer
or
questioning
and
two-spirit
individuals,
and
all
of
those
with
diverse
sexual
orientations,
gender
identities,
expressions
and
sex
characteristics.
It
is
significant
to
note
that
May
17
1990
was
the
day
that
homosexuality
was
Declassified
as
a
mental
disorder
by
the
World
Health
Organization.
A
Since
then,
after
a
global
campaign,
the
first
International
Day
against
homophobia
was
celebrated
in
2004
and
it
is
now
celebrated
in
more
than
130
countries.
This
year's
theme
is
together
always
United
in
diversity,
which
highlights
the
importance
of
solidarity,
community
and
allyship
across
different
identities,
movements
and
borders.
A
It
is
a
message
that
resonates
with
the
ongoing
struggles
and
achievements
of
the
lgbtq
plus
Community.
As
a
society,
we
have
made
progress
towards
equality
and
acceptance
for
lgbtq2s
plus
individuals,
but
we
still
have
a
long
way
to
go.
We
must
continue
to
advocate
for
equal
rights
and
ensure
that
nobody
feels
discriminated
against
simply
because
of
who
they
are
on
this
day
and
every
day
it
is
important
to
create
a
platform
for
LGBT,
sorry,
lgbtq2s
plus
people
to
share
their
stories
and
experiences.
A
We
must
listen
to
them
and
amplify
their
voices
so
that
we
can
work
together
towards
a
better
future
for
everyone.
On
behalf
of
the
BC
United
caucus
I
reaffirm
our
commitment
to
work
hard
to
make
homophobia,
transphobia
and
biphobia
a
thing
of
the
past
and
strive
for
a
province
where
everyone
can
feel
safe
and
comfortable
being
themselves.
Thank
you.