The BC NDP is building a better, more inclusive British Columbia.
Our party is proud to stand with LGBTQ folks. But we also believe actions speak louder than words.
During the 1990’s the NDP was BC’s first government with an out gay MLA, and the first to bring in adoption rights and pension benefits for queer couples. In 2019, six BC NDP MLAs are LGBTQ, and we’re continuing to deliver progress for the queer community.
Here’s a bit of what we’ve done in the last two years:
A new independent Human Rights Commission
In 2002, the BC Liberals eliminated the Human Rights Commission, making BC the only province in Canada without one. We’ve re-established the commission and made it fully independent. Our new Human Rights Commissioner, Kasari Govender, starts in September.
PrEP is now free
Pre-exposure prophylaxis, known as PrEP, is now available for no cost to all British Columbians at high risk of HIV infection. Nearly 3,300 people have been prescribed PrEP since we expanded access in January 2018.
Top surgeries available in every BC Health Authority
We’ve expanded upper surgery access from just Vancouver and Victoria to now include Burnaby, Kamloops, Kelowna, Port Moody, and Prince George, helping people — and those who care for them — stay closer to home.
Lower surgeries now available in BC
We were the first province in western Canada to introduce gender-affirming lower surgery, including supportive aftercare.
Interested in gender-affirming surgery? Find out more:
phsa.ca/transcarebc/surgery/how-to-get-surgery
X gender marker option available for BC IDs
We’ve made it easier for British Columbians who do not identify as male or female to display an X marker in the gender field of their BC issued driver’s license, identity card, birth certificate, and BC Services Card.
Bringing SOGI 123 to all 60 BC school districts
We believe all students deserve to be welcomed, included, and respected in a safe learning environment while being fully and completely themselves. As of May 2019, all of BC’s 60 School Districts and independent schools have adopted SOGI 123. Find out more:
https://bc.sogieducation.org/
Calling for a federal ban on conversion therapy
On August 1, 2019 Attorney General David Eby, Minister of Health Adrian Dix and Vancouver-West End MLA Spencer Chandra-Herbert sent a letter to the federal government to add conversion therapy to Canada’s Criminal Code. While Conversion therapy is already prohibited in BC's public health care system, we believe it's time for the federal government to take a crucial next step and ban this harmful, unethical and dangerous practice.
March with us at the 2019 Vancouver Pride Parade
This year, we’re marking the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots – and the birth of the modern queer rights movement – along with the 50th anniversary of Canada’s Bill C-150, a landmark in decriminalizing homosexual acts. But LGBTQ communities continue to face prejudice and discrimination. Pride is our opportunity to celebrate the progress that’s been made – and to remind everyone that there’s still plenty of work to do before we see true equality.