Statement from Premier Ranj Pillai, Minister Jeanie McLean and Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee on Pride celebrations in the Yukon

Press Release

Premier Ranj Pillai, Minister responsible for the Women and Gender Equity Directorate Jeanie McLean and Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee have issued the following statement:

“Today, as we raise the Pride flag at the Jim Smith Building, we reaffirm our government’s commitment to helping ensure that 2SLGBTQIA+ Yukoners feel safe and supported across the territory. This commitment extends to leading initiatives that centre the rights and needs of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

“Pride is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community while also acknowledging the barriers that continue to exist. Despite the progress made, our journey towards achieving equality is far from complete. Over the last few years we have seen a surge in transphobic and homophobic legislation being passed internationally. Canada is not immune to political agendas driven by fear and ignorance. We all must proactively call out discrimination, identify bias and make it clear that prejudice and hate do not belong in the Yukon.

“Our government continues to work with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the territory to help ensure they can enjoy the same rights, representation and access to services that many people take for granted. Following the commitment for year two outlined in the 2021 LBGTQ2S+ Inclusion Action Plan, the Women and Gender Equity Directorate is preparing a targeted survey of 2SLGBTQIA+ Yukoners to evaluate the progress on actions listed in the  plan. It is on track to be launched this month and will be promoted during upcoming Pride events. The objective of the five year plan is to make government programs and services more inclusive of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

“Through celebrating Pride, we honour a human rights movement that has only grown stronger since its conception at Stonewall Riots in 1969. Let’s strive to live by the words of 2SLBGTQIA+ activist Barbara Gittings: “Equality means more than passing laws. The struggle is really won in the hearts and minds of the community, where it really counts.”

Together, we can create a future where the 2SLGBTQIA+ community are celebrated, visible and represented in all aspects of our society.”

Quick facts

• In 2020 the Yukon became the 4th jurisdiction in Canada to ban conversion therapy.
• In July 2021, the Government of Yukon released the five-year LGBTQ2S+ Inclusion Action Plan. This plan identifies more than 100 initiatives to make government programs and services more inclusive and accessible to the Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and asexual communities.
• In September 2021, the former Women’s Directorate’s name was updated to the Women and Gender Equity Directorate. The directorate’s mandate was also revised to include issues related to gender equity and sexual orientation.
• The Act to amend the Yukon Advisory Council on Women’s Issues was passed by the Legislative Assembly during the spring sitting with unanimous support. The council will change its name to Minister’s Advisory Council on Women and Gender Equity. The amendments to the Act will ensure that, going forward, the council can provide advice related to gender equity, sexual orientation and women’s issues on any government initiative.
• Following the commitment for year two outlined in the 2021 LBGTQ2S+ Inclusion Action Plan, The Women and Gender Equity Directorate is preparing a targeted survey of 2SLGBTQIA+ Yukoners. It is on track to be launched in August and will be promoted during this month’s Pride events. The Government of Yukon created this survey to evaluate the progress of the actions listed in the LGBTQ2S+ Inclusion Plan.

Media contact

Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca

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