2SLGBTQIA+ Action Plan Engagement
The Office of Equity and Anti-Racism has started public engagement on development of a plan to address concerns of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. (Communications Nova Scotia / File)
The Province is creating an action plan to address the needs and concerns of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
The Office of Equity and Anti-Racism has started public engagement on development of the plan, part of the Equity and Anti-Racism Strategy released in July 2023.
“Hate and inequity have no place in our province. As leaders in addressing these issues, it is important that we start by asking how we can do a better job of serving all Nova Scotians,” said Barbara Adams, Minister responsible for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism. “By listening and going directly to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, we can make government policies and programs more inclusive and improve people’s lives.”
Community organizations will conduct engagement sessions with the people they serve. The engagement will also include an online survey to collect ideas, demographic data and information about experiences with government programs and services, and the Office will lead three virtual sessions open to the broader rainbow community.
The 2SLGBTQIA+ community has experienced a concerning increase in acts of hate since 2019 and has identified other issues, including service gaps and barriers to accessing health, employment and justice services and opportunities, to be addressed.
Quotes:
“When 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees arrive in Canada, fleeing violence and persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics, they deserve to arrive in a province that respects, celebrates and protects them. This 2SLGBTQIA+ action plan, as part of the Equity and Anti-Racism Strategy, demonstrates a needed commitment to ensuring the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Nova Scotia feels heard, represented and supported.”
— Rhiannon Makohoniuk, Executive Director, Rainbow Refugee Association of Nova Scotia
“Truro Pride Society is thrilled to have the opportunity to help make crucial services more accessible and safe for members of our local 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This project will be instrumental in fulfilling our organization’s goal of improving the well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in Truro and Colchester County, by working to break down barriers that deter far too many individuals from receiving the services and supports they need.”
— Raelee Rath, Chair, Truro Pride Society
“We have a big project ahead of us. It’s important to combat hate, always. At the moment, trans folk are the target south of our border, and anti-trans hate has infiltrated our country already. Having people come together to think about this threat and plan to act against it is critical at this point; having support from our government is massively helpful.”
— Dan MacKay, Secretary and past chair, Elderberries Society of Atlantic Canada
Quick Facts:
- the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism is the government lead in working with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to address their needs
- Nova Scotia will be the first province to create a plan for this community
- the engagement is expected to continue until August
Additional Resources:
Engagement website and survey: https://www.oeaengagement.ca/
Equity and Anti-Racism Strategy: https://novascotia.ca/just/publications/docs/equity-and-anti-racism-strategy.pdf
Office of Equity and Anti-Racism:
- website: https://beta.novascotia.ca/government/equity-and-anti-racism-initiatives
- X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/NSEquity
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NSOfficeofEquity