HALIFAX – Transgender people living in Nova Scotia will soon have protection against discrimination.
In marking the Transgender Day of Remembrance on Tuesday, an international day acknowledging victims of transphobia, Justice Minister Ross Landry will add gender identity and gender expression as “protected grounds in the Human Rights Act.”
“For too long, transgender Nova Scotians have faced discrimination, threats, insults and physical violence. This is not acceptable, and we will not tolerate it,” Landry said.
In amending the Human Rights Act, Nova Scotia joins Ontario, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories in providing protection to individuals based on gender identity or gender expression.
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The move means an individual cannot be denied employment or a place to live because they are transgender.
Previously, transgender individuals had to file a complaint based on sex or disability.
Kate Shewan transitioned during the last three years. She said she hopes this will help change “public attitudes and great acceptance in society.”
Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project (NSRAP) chair Kevin Kindred said the amendment will go a long way to alleviating fear of discrimination.
On Nov. 15, NSRAP presented a petition with more than 1,700 signatures asking the provincial government to amend the Human Rights Act to add protections for “those who are transgender, gender non-conforming or intersex.”
“We know that trans people face harassment and discrimination, and also that fear of such discrimination holds people back from leading full and healthy lives,” Kindred said.
Landry said all Nova Scotians deserve the same legal protections against discrimination.
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