LGBT Purge Fund releases “Emerging from the Purge: The State of LGBTQI2S Inclusion in the Federal Workplace and Recommendations for Improvement”

OTTAWA (May 17, 2021) – Today, on this International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), and in recognition of the thousands of LGBT federal employees who were abused over 50 years during the LGBT Purge, the LGBT Purge Fund has released a new report, Emerging from the Purge: The State of LGBTQI2S Inclusion in the Federal Workplace and Recommendations for Improvement.

You can download an abstract of the report here or download the full report here.

The report is the product of a year-long study by subject matter experts from Egale Canada and Fondation Émergence who conducted consultations with the federal public service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Canadian Armed Forces. Emerging from the Purge presents key findings and makes 23 recommendations for improvement to support systemic change towards LGBTQI2S inclusion in federal workplaces.

 

“The history of systemic discrimination towards LGBTQI2S people in Canada’s federal workplaces is deeply troubling. Since the LGBT Purge, we have come a long way towards building inclusive federal workplaces, but it will take coordinated, deliberate, and effective efforts to promote sustainable culture change and foster truly inclusive workplaces across the Government of Canada. Emerging from the Purge is the roadmap for change.”

– Michelle Douglas, Executive Director of the LGBT Purge Fund.

 

Among the 23 recommendations in Emerging from the Purge, is a call for the Government of Canada to consult with key stakeholders – including subject matter experts, employees, and LGBTQI2S organizations – to develop and implement more comprehensive inclusivity training across all federal departments and review formal documents and policies to include LGBTQI2S considerations.

In addition to the report, The LGBT Purge Fund has published an open letter urging the Prime Minister of Canada to insist that ministers responsible for the federal public service, the RCMP, and the Canadian Armed Forces review the findings in the report and act on its recommendations.

 

“By implementing the recommendations in the Emerging from the Purge report, Canada will be a better employer, benefit from a more diverse workforce, and serve all Canadians from a strengthened position.”

– Michelle Douglas, Executive Director of the LGBT Purge Fund

 


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