Published 13 days ago • loading... • Updated 13 days ago

Jessica Stern Urges Canada to Expand LGBTQ+ Aid Abroad

At the Ottawa Civic Space Summit on Wednesday, former U.S. special envoy Jessica Stern urged Canada to expand international support for LGBTQ+ people, arguing the country can "demonstrate leadership" to fill a policy vacuum.
President Donald Trump dismantled the $40 billion U.S. Agency for International Development and erased internal government records on LGBTQ+ issues, cutting millions of people with HIV from access to lifesaving drugs.
Steve Letsike, South Africa's junior minister for women, youth and disabled people, warned that a well-resourced transnational movement is eroding human rights; Uganda's law now makes certain sexual acts punishable by death.
The Dignity Network, a coalition of Canadian groups advocating for gender and sexual minorities abroad, has called on Ottawa to double its annual foreign aid envelope for LGBTQ+ people to $20 million.
Stern and Letsike argued that defending LGBTQ+ rights prevents global instability and builds productive economies. "Countering discrimination and violence is good business," Stern said, noting employees thrive when safe at work.

Insights by Ground AI

30 Articles

CTV News

Reposted by

CP24

Center

Canada called on to fill ‘vacuum’ in LGBTQ2S+ advocacy worldwide in face of Trump cuts

The former U.S. diplomat for LGBTQ2S+ rights is urging Canada to boost its support for gender and sexual minorities abroad — and South Africa says Ottawa can help hold the line against the Trump administration’s efforts to erode human rights globally.

13 days ago·Canada

Read Full Article

The Toronto Star

Reposted by

CFJC Today Kamloops

Lean Left

Canada called on to fill ‘vacuum’ in LGBTQ+ advocacy worldwide in face of Trump cuts

OTTAWA - The former U.S. diplomat for LGBTQ+ rights is urging Canada to boost its support for gender and sexual minorities abroad — and South Africa says Ottawa can help

13 days ago·Toronto, Canada

Read Full Article