Achi news desk-
Ottawa –
The federal government has announced that it will give $1.7 million to groups that support gender and sexual minorities abroad.
It follows criticism from activists that Ottawa is too slow to make good on its funding promises, and that it should respond more forcefully to anti-gay legislation in some states.
Liberal MP Anita Vandenblad announced this at a conference of the Dignity Network, a coalition of Canadian groups that support LGBTQ2S+ people abroad.
Activists from around the world attending the conference praise the move to help protect vulnerable people, but they also question why it has taken so long.
Global Affairs Canada says the COVID-19 pandemic and a lengthy consultation process have delayed funding for LGBTQ2S+ groups, but the department says it plans to increase spending.
Activists are also calling on Canada to call for homophobic legislation in Uganda and Ghana, saying sustained pressure is needed to prevent further rollbacks of human rights.
The funding includes $1 million for a project led by the US Department of Aid to study how groups in multiple countries can cut stigma and also respond to crises.
The rest of the funding goes to Toronto-based Rainbow Railroad to examine the forced displacement of gender and sexual minorities around the world by helping governments understand the perspectives of those fleeing to safety.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on May 9, 2024.
