Immigration is a process many people go through in order to make a permanent move to a new, foreign country. People immigrate to a new country for many reasons, one however is the lack of acceptance many countries have for the LGBTTQ* community. For example, in recent news, Nigeria started the process of implementing a new bill which would make same-sex marriage criminalized and attached a jail time of five years to the offence (Eboh, 2011). While discrimination against the LGBTTQ* people is very prevalent in Canada, it is legal for people to be non-heterosexual. Because of countries like Nigeria, Canada is a place where immigrants and refugees can go to escape the homophobic governments that run their home country.
However, the fact that Canada has open arms for LGBTTQ* immigrants and refugees was very close to not making it in to the immigrant study guide, “Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship”, due to the homophobic Citizenship and Immigration Minister, Jason Kenney. According to Beeby (2011), the initial copy of the immigrant study guide lacked any content on gay and lesbian rights. The booklet, which is a required reading for all new immigrants to Canada, has since been updated to include one, single sentence on gay and lesbian rights, however, it still lacks any reference to the transgendered population of Canada (Millette, 2011). Due to that fact that Kenney is of the Conservative Party it is a good step in the right direction that he included anything on gay and lesbian rights, even if it was not until a rewrite was demanded.
To make up for his blatant act of discrimination against the LGBTTQ* community, Kenney has now teamed up with the Rainbow Refugee Committee in an effort to help refugees needing protection due to their sexual orientation. According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (2011), “Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will partner with the Rainbow Refugee Committee to share the cost of sponsoring a refugee”. While this so far appears to be a wonderful program put in place, we need to remember Kenney’s history being unsupportive of the rights for the LGBTTQ* community. Could it be a change of heart? I most certainly hope so, but due to my skeptical nature I am not completely convince. So Minister Kenney, while we support this program, please keep in mind that those in support of the rights of the LGBTTQ* community are keeping a close, careful eye on you.
References:
Beeby, D. (2011). Immigration Minister pulled gay rights from citizenship guide, documents show. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com
Citizen and Immigration Canada. (2011). News Release — Government of Canada to help gay and lesbian refugees fleeing persecution. Retrieved from http://www.cic.gc.ca/
Eboh, C. (2011). Nigerian bill would punish gay marriage with five years in jail. Retrieved from http://www.nationalpost.com
Millette, R. (2011). New Canadian immigrant study guide includes references to gay rights. Retrieved from http://www.lifesitesnews.com
I never knew that there was jail time for openly being who you are.. weird! Well on a positive note I hope that it is in there due to a change of heart. It would be a wonderful change to see someone from a conservative party at least somewhat having an open mind to letting people live their lives how they want to, since it is not hurting anyone else. Although I would like to believe that, I too am feeling a little bit sceptical. I'm hoping that if it isn't actually his true feelings that he makes changes that will benefit at least some before he changes his mind!
ReplyDeleteLeah
I had an idea that other governments were criminalizing same sex relationships, but not go as far as putting them in jail! And that Canada only has one sentence about the LGBTTQ*'s rights in the immigrant study guild.
ReplyDeleteActions always speak louder then words, so hopefully Minister Kenney had a change of heart and keeps showing so!
~Joelle
Like Leah and Joelle, I am also so shocked to know that it is a crime to be openly gay in other countries. I've always known that not all countries were accepting of LGBTQ* communities but, to go as far as to put people in jail for being who they are is ridiculous. Even though the the Canadian government almost rejected the idea that people in the LGBTQ* community could immigrate to Canada, Im glad they didn't! At least LGBTQ* immigrants and refugees can come to Canada and be free to be who they are without having to worry about jail time.
ReplyDelete- Adrienne A.
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ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if the bill you were talking about is the same one I was aware of a few months ago. I signed a petition to file against the passing of a bill in Nigeria for the criminalization and execution of same sex marriage that thankfully did not get passed. I remember when I first read that they were firstly trying to criminalize it, but also execute those who disobeyed, I was shocked. I could not believe that a country would even consider these extreme measures towards the LGBTQ* community. It actually disgusts me that people would execute human being just because they classify as LGBTQ*. I'm glad that the bill was not passed and that Canada is an open country to the LGBTQ* community. I think that by being role models, other countries will eventually follow in our footsteps even though there is always room for improvement! (such as letting same sex couples adopt or foster in some provinces).
ReplyDeleteDora
I am surprised to find that Jason Kenny has teamed up with the Rainbow Refugee Committee to support LGBTTQ* immigrants and refugees who are migrating to Canada to escape discrimination where they live, for instance, in Nigeria. Further, I too hope that Mr. Kenny's efforts to support LGBTTQ* immigrants and refugees is a sincere one, as well as a positive step forward for the conservative party to support not only our LGBTTQ* community but also cultural differences that exist in Canada.
ReplyDeleteStephanie M.
Nice post. I just have say Wow, 5 YEARS for trying to be who you are, that's crazy. I was aware that not all places were very tolerable to the LGBTTQ* community but that's just ridiculous, I know of people who are looking to do 3-5 years for multiple charges of drug possession, theft and other minor offences. It's really eye opening to know that LGBTTQ* people from other countries would be considered bigger offenders than these people.
ReplyDelete- Jody
Although this was not my first time hearing of countries who criminally prosecute people who identify as homosexual, it is still disheartening to hear. I have a friend who is from Ethiopia, and was having a discussion like this with her one day, and she informed me that homosexuality is punishable with incarceration there too. While she was in high school, one particular teacher was putting together a play which students were to perform but was told she was not allowed to continue with the organization of the drama because one of the characters was a lesbian. When she chose to ignore the warning, she was placed in jail. I was absolutely shocked when my friend told me this. I suppose living in Canada it is hard for me to fathom the extreme homophobia there is in other parts of the world.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa