![\"StopHomophobia\"](\"http:\/\/www.une-sen.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/StopHomophobia.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
By\u00a0Sebastian Westerlund<\/p>\n
The international day\u00a0against 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\u00a0providing inclusive and open-minded customer service.<\/p>\n
This day\u00a0asks us to\u00a0reflect on\u00a0how certain policies and practices erase the existence of LGBTQ+ individuals.\u00a0Our assumptions about gender and sexuality often unknowingly\u00a0contribute to an institutional\u00a0climate of heteronormativity that alienates this population.<\/p>\n
The day against homophobia thus provides us with an opportunity to broaden our\u00a0awareness and understanding of how workplace\u00a0policies can affect LGBT people, knowledge that can help us to be inclusive and welcoming to\u00a0them\u00a0in our daily work.<\/p>\n
On May 17, we encourage you to reflect on ways to challenge\u00a0homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, in order to help build a more inclusive public service.<\/p>\n
Sebastian Westerlund is a UNE member based in Montreal. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By\u00a0Sebastian Westerlund The international day\u00a0against 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\u00a0providing inclusive and open-minded customer service. This day\u00a0asks us to\u00a0reflect on\u00a0how certain policies and practices erase the existence of LGBTQ+ … <\/p>\n