QMUNITY responds to B.C. Court of Appeal decision on Trinity Western University

From the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms:

Equality before and under law and equal protection and benefit of law 

15. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability. 

Below is a press release from Qmunity in Vancouver. QMUNITY is a non-profit organization based in Vancouver, BC that works to improve queer and trans lives. They provide a safer space for LGBTQ/2S people and their allies to fully self-express while feeling welcome and included. 

I wanted to share this because I believe what they say is important and true. I believe that an institution that practices discrimination should not train people who will practice our laws--laws that include the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

November 2, 2016  

 QMUNITY responds to B.C. Court of Appeal decision on Trinity Western University

QMUNITY is disappointed by the November 1, 2016 decision of the B.C. Court of Appeal which will allow future Trinity Western University graduates to practice law in B.C..   

QMUNITY participated in the appeal by providing important evidence about the lives of LGBQ/T/2S people and the potential harm done if the Court refused to uphold the Law Society of British Columbia’s decision not to approve the proposed Trinity Western University law school.  

The unanimous decision by the Court has a number of significant impacts on wider communities:

• It sends a clear message that the exclusion of LGBQ/T/2S people from law school, and in turn, post-secondary education and related important positions in public life, is acceptable; 
• It disproportionately values the religious rights of one small group over the human rights of LGBQ/T2S people;
• It teaches Trinity Western trained law graduates that exclusion of members of LGBQ/T/2S communities is reasonable and acceptable;
• It signals to LGBQ/T/2S communities that we are not as worthy of dignity and opportunity because we engage in same sex intimacy; and,
• It sends a devastating message to current and future law professionals by increasing barriers to individuals in an industry already lacking in diversity.

QMUNITY will actively participate in and support any further appeals of the decision of the B.C. Court of Appeal in our support for the extraordinary significance of the inclusion of Sexual Orientation in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms relative to institutional decision-making and the design of climates that respect diversity and inclusion.

Media inquiries can be directed to communications@qmunity.ca or 604-684-5307, extension 101.