By Sebastian Westerlund

The international day against homophobia on May 17 highlights the impact of stigma on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals. Raising awareness about the difficult realities facing this population is an essential part of providing inclusive and open-minded customer service.

This day asks us to reflect on how certain policies and practices erase the existence of LGBTQ+ individuals. Our assumptions about gender and sexuality often unknowingly contribute to an institutional climate of heteronormativity that alienates this population.

The day against homophobia thus provides us with an opportunity to broaden our awareness and understanding of how workplace policies can affect LGBT people, knowledge that can help us to be inclusive and welcoming to them in our daily work.

On May 17, we encourage you to reflect on ways to challenge homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, in order to help build a more inclusive public service.

Sebastian Westerlund is a UNE member based in Montreal.

By Jacqueline Nanali

Identity is the door that will open your soul.  I was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  My parents immigrated to Canada in the early 1970’s from the Philippines.  They spoke their language to one another, but did their best to adjust to the Canadian ways for my older brother and me.  Often conversations among the elders were spoken in their language and they would speak English to the children.

As a young girl, I remember at the Elementary School I attended I would learn the French language and the school also offered Filipino language classes.  Growing up, it didn’t really occur to me how language played such a large part in connecting with others.

My first visit to the Philippines in 1999 opened up a whole new experience.  I had the same hair, eyes, and skin colour as many of the girls I encountered, but they often asked me where I was from.  They all spoke the same language and it seemed as if they knew I did not belong.  When I spoke English, it confirmed their assumptions.  Some tried to communicate with me, while others didn’t attempt to.  As an adolescent, I wasn’t sure how that made me feel.  I didn’t realize until I returned to Canada, that the girls I met in the Philippines looked at me as if I was a Canadian, although we shared the same hair, eyes, skin colour and ethnicity.  Even though I was raised in Winnipeg, I would often be asked if I was born in the Philippines.

Being Asian Canadian is my identity.  I am not one, or the other . . . I am both.  For many first generation Asian immigrants, some may still have a deep connection with their native land.  Second generation Canadian-born Asians, like myself, seek that opportunity to learn about our parents, grandparents and ancestors.  However, being a third generation in today’s society speaks wavelengths about ethnicity and nationality.  Which is why I believe it is significant to take the time to learn and share stories about your identity because without it, Canada would not be known for its historical development of Asian Canadians.

Celebrate the 14^th year of May 2016 as Asian Heritage Month in Manitoba:

May 8, 2016 – Steinbach where the local Asian community members will participate for the first time

May 11, 2016 – Canadian Museum for Human Rights Event – Asian Fusion

May 12, 2016 – University of Winnipeg

May 26, 2016 – Asian Canadian Writers

May 28-29, 2016 – Asian Canadian Festival at the Forks

For more details on the festivities, please visit: http://filipinojournal.com/asian-heritage-month-of-may-2016-promises-another-multicultural-extravaganza/

 Jacqueline Nanali is the UNE’s regional representative for human rights, Manitoba

 

By Hayley Millington

Canada’s theme for the 2016 International Women’s Day (IWD) is Women’s Empowerment Leads to Equality. On a global scale, the United Nations (UN) calls for “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality”. You may question the validity of this or wonder if the goal itself is too lofty. Despite one’s feelings of apprehension, I can say that the goal is an achievable one and unequivocally state that gender equality is a goal worth accomplishing.

Empowerment on its own merit is an essential component to achieving equality amongst the sexes. Empowerment also allows the female of our species to better attain goals that they set for themselves as well as enable them to take the helm of their individual lives whilst becoming positive contributors to their societies at large. Women and girls embracing empowerment means that better choices can be made that will allow their needs and those of their families to be met.

The Status of Women in Canada states that Empowerment includes: “Having access to education, getting involved in the community, becoming financially independent, understanding your right to live free from violence, knowing how governments works and exercising your domestic rights”. Canada has been touted as a world leader when it comes to the empowerment of women and gender equality plays a significant role in many of its development programs. In many parts of the world, women and their governments are still playing “catch up” and the idea of gender equality is still only a concept.

The UN calls for an accelerated 2030 agenda whereby we are able to implement a new set of sustainable goals. As well, they are focusing on …”new commitments under the UN Step It Up initiative, and other existing commitments on gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s human rights”.

It is beneficial to humanity to have their female populous empowered and able, through equality and gender parity, the chance and tools to reach their full potential allowing for an enriched society for all.

Empowered Woman, Unfettered by life’s once cumbersome details

Mindful of self and surroundings, desires and needs now relevant, never again curtailed

Primed and full of confidence, she soars past her inconsolable self and rises

Owning the experiences that create the memories of her life, once Tethered

Warrior spirits abound, never waning and in full fight regalia

Eager to take flight

Revealing the strengths of her character, no longer held in abeyance

Much to their chagrin

Emancipated and able, ready to ascend to a new understanding of oneself

Notwithstanding the powers of governments and societies

Tantamount to the oppressive beliefs now outlawed and waylaid by what she understands of herself and her place for she alone commands the niche now carved and indelible, never again invisible and on display for all to see.

Hayley Millington is the UNE’s National Equity Representative for Women.