Recognize Gender Identity in Ontario's Human Rights Code

TORONTO, May 20 /CNW/ - Having to face discrimination and being denied basic human rights are unacceptable facts of life for transgendered people. That's why the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is supporting a private member's bill to amend the Human Rights Code to recognize "gender identity".

'Toby's Bill - 'Bill 70, An Act to Amend the Human Rights Code Respecting Gender Identity', was introduced by Ontario NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo on May 17th, The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. The purpose of the Bill is to ensure that discrimination on the grounds of gender identity is prohibited under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Toby's Bill was named after a transgendered person at DiNovo's church who committed suicide. It would provide transgendered people with the same basic rights as all other Ontarians.

"It is shameful and unacceptable that transgendered people continue to face considerable stigma and discrimination in our so-called 'enlightened' society. Passage of this bill would confirm the government's support of an Ontario where all citizens have full access to employment, health care, housing, and social services," says ETFO President Sam Hammond.

A main objective of ETFO is to foster a climate of social justice and equity and take a leadership role in confronting individual and systemic discrimination and inequality in all its forms. The federation has focused on lobbying for social change at the provincial level and developing classroom resources and professional development to share with educators across Canada and internationally.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario represents 76,000 elementary public school teachers and education workers across the province and is the largest teacher federation in Canada.

For further information: Sam Hammond, President, ETFO, [phone] (Office); Larry Skory, ETFO Communications, [phone] (office), [phone] (cell)