*TRIGGER WARNING*Who Cares About Transgender Hate Crimes? Not HarperPeter Goffin, The Huffington Post (Canada), 08/28/2013 9:02 am
Canadian legislators have been at work since June 2011 to expand the Canadian Criminal Code to include gender identity and gender expression on the list of characteristics protected by hate crime law. In Canada, a hate crime is defined as intimidation, harassment, physical force or physical threats against a person or property, motivated by hatred or prejudice.
Bill C-279, which you may know better as the dismissively-nicknamed "Bathroom Bill," was passed in Parliament in March, by a count of 149-137. And in the eyes of most, the story ended there, and another victory was chalked up for Canadian progressiveness. But before C-279 can become law, it will have to be passed by the Senate. Now, six months after being approved in the House of Commons, the bill is stuck in legislative limbo, stalled by summer recess and Prime Minster Stephen Harper's prorogation of Parliament.
Meanwhile, thousands of transgendered people across Canada face threats, harassment, violence, every day.
