PFLAG Canada-York Region receives $50,000.00 Grant from the Trillium
Foundation

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia... May 17, 2010

TORONTO, May 17 /CNW/ - Determined to make a difference for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Transexual, Two-Spirit, Intersex, Queer and Questioning (LGBTIQQ) Community, Marilyn Byers and Dave Williams on behalf of PFLAG Canada-York Region are excited to announce that a $50,000.00 Grant was received from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

This 2 year project includes billboard/transit shelter ads to appear throughout York Region displaying the slogans, "Someone You know and Love is Gay" and "Being Gay or Lesbian is NOT a Crime, Bashing IS."

The project, launching this week, is meant to:

    
    -   Stimulate discussion, interest, questions, even shock... and promote
        respect for diversity.
    -   Instill a sense of pride in people of all sexual orientations and
        gender identities
    -   Reduce Homophobia and Transphobia and move many in society from
        tolerance to acceptance
    -   Raise awareness that PFLAG CANADA-York Region exists and to encourage
        volunteerism
    

In 2005, a similar campaign was launched which did promote awareness and controversy!

Included in the project will be a local LGBT Business Campaign and advertising promotion.

Everyone knows someone whose sexual orientation or gender identity is different from their own. Some think they don't, but it's just that they haven't been told. In the GTA we still face bashings, killings, suicides and harassment. An attack on a gay person is an attack on all of us. Through a network of 72 Chapters across Canada, PFLAG volunteers are contacted every day by frightened adolescents and by angry, fearful or ashamed parents.

Byers states that "even one victim is one too many". Statistics show that 1/3 of teenage completed suicides are due to sexual orientation and 40% of street kids have been kicked out of their home because of their sexual orientation.

In addition to this special project, PFLAG Canada-York Region has speakers available for community groups, schools, churches and corporations. Posters, Brochures and Resources are available. We have regular monthly meetings where families and friends of LGBTIQQ people come to find support and information about sexual orientation and gender identity. All are welcome.

Visit the web site: www.pflagyork.ca

For further information: Marilyn Byers, [phone], e-mail: [email protected]