Overview
Although Canada is a leader in 2SLGBTQ+ legislation, many people in different sectors of Canadian society still experience homophobia and transphobia. Equality in law does not mean equality in lived experience. 2SLGBTQ+ discrimination in Canada exists despite progressive legislation. This has led to higher rates of suicide, addiction, and mental health issues in these communities. It has also led to higher rates of unemployment, hate crimes, and marginalization. 2SLGBTQ+ discrimination is often justified by religious beliefs of different faith traditions in communities.
RFF is a unique Canadian organization because it recognizes that religious-based discrimination is a problem and is the most powerful and influential source of homophobia and transphobia in Canada. Even though conversion therapy is officially banned in Canada, other less “official” or institutionalized approaches to shame 2SLGBTQ+ people and demand they repress their sexual or gender identity will likely become a powerful mode of religious-based 2SLGBTQ+ discrimination that will directly harm Canadians, especially youth. RFF does not believe that religious belief can be ignored any longer in the fight to end 2SLGBTQ+ discrimination. Because faith-based institutions continue to weaponize belief to perpetuate discrimination of 2SLGBTQ+ people, and because religious belief is a human right, religious- based discrimination must be confronted from a religious perspective that both affirms and is inclusive of 2SLGBTQ+ identity and faith.
The Opportunity
Religion-based discrimination has a direct impact on the beliefs and social attitudes of Canadians, despite the progress on legal protections that we have here. RFF wants to ensure that all sectors of Canadian society are inclusive of 2SLGBTQ+ people, specifically for this project, that faith-based institutions and organizations (the faith sector) in Ontario are equipped to take action to confront and end religious-based discrimination. Canada is currently at an important juncture: now that conversion therapy has been banned, other, more insidious and invisible efforts could take their place in faith-based communities to force individuals to repress their sexual and gender identity.
RFF will help faith-based institutions and organizations develop approaches to reduce and eliminate religious-based anti-2SLGBTQ+ discrimination and/or harmful practices, and engage them with resources to affirm 2SLGBTQ+ people and reduce social isolation. For this project, RFF aims to offer research, resources, and support to help drive community awareness and engagement to end religious-based 2SLGBTQ+ discrimination in the faith sector of Ontario.
The Program
Worshipping with Love is an education program, based on extensive research, that guides and supports places of worship to address religious-based homophobia and transphobia while becoming inclusive and affirming of 2SLGBTQ+ community members. To learn more about the work that has been done discover our research report below.
