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LGBTQ rights are human rights

As a person born in this city and who has watched the changes that have taken place, no shift has been more positive or profound than our attitude toward LGBTQ people, as well as the pride movement. Established in 1990, this parade often evoked backlash and barking from those citizens who preferred to exclude rather than include.

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I’ve seen the changes first hand. I first marched in the parade in 2004 as a rank and file citizen. When I got involved in politics, only certain political parties would attend for fear of reprisal from their base.

In a short time, that has changed. And I am thankful for that.

The change hasn’t only been in Calgary: we have had a busy year on Parliament Hill. Since the election, we had the first pride flag raised on Parliament Hill, the first openly gay cabinet minister return to cabinet, and the first prime minister to march in a pride parade.

Further to this new tone and approach, this recent legislative sitting, we introduced Bill C-16. The purpose of this legislation is to ensure that everyone can live according to their gender identity and express their gender as they choose and be protected from discrimination, hate propaganda and hate crimes.