Will the Canadian government hold the line on anti-gender backsliding?

In recent years, we have witnessed a steady rise in laws and policies that specifically target LGBTQI+ individuals, even as many countries have taken meaningful steps forward. This hate is well-organized, well-funded, and being heavily resourced by organizations based in the U.S. and beyond. At the same time, anti-asylum sentiment is growing, with notable backtracking by countries of asylum on refugee protection and resettlement.

Canada has played a key role in protecting global LGBTQI+ human rights and forging new pathways to safety for LGBTQI+ refugees. However, as countries such as the United States cancel their international development funding, it places global LGBTQI+ rights work at steep risk of losing ground on progress made to-date and emboldening a global campaign of regression. Canada’s leadership in fighting for LGBTQI+ rights around the world is more important than ever.

To hold the line on anti-gender backsliding and solidify Canada’s legacy as a global LGBTQI+ rights leader, Rainbow Railroad recommends the following:

1. Affirm Canada’s position as a world leader in international LGBTQI+ rights advancement by:
2. • Increasing funding for the LGBTQ2I International Assistance Program to $25 million per year, or 0.3% of the overall international development budget. Key programs under this fund include Rainbow Railroad’s groundbreaking Queer Forced Displacement Initiative (QFDI), a global multi-lateral network dedicated to developing protection and durable solutions for queer and trans refugees around the world.
   • Investing $1.37 billion over three years in the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis.
   • Establishing a new appointed position in government in the form of a Human Rights Ambassador to coordinate with like-minded countries on human rights, and advise senior Canadian officials.
2. Continue leading international LGBTQI+ refugee resettlement by:
3. • Maintaining key implementation funding for Canada’s groundbreaking initiative for at-risk LGBTQI+ refugees, the Government-Assisted Refugee (GAR) partnership with Rainbow Railroad.
   • Increasing key implementation funding for Canada’s flagship private sponsorship program for at-risk LGBTQI+ refugees, the Rainbow Refugee Assistance Partnership (RRAP) with Rainbow Refugee and the From Borders to Belonging (FB2B) coalition.
   • Sustaining key implementation funding for other dedicated complementary LGBTQI+ humanitarian pathways and public policies supporting at-risk LGBTQI+ refugees escaping unsafe countries.
3. Invest in domestic LGBTQI+ organizing and essential services that build resilience against a growing global anti-gender movement by:
4. • Continuing investments in the Community Capacity Fund, and earmark an additional $2 million per year for the next three budgets to ensure long-term endurance of the sector.
   • Funding health research with a $1.5 million investment into health research for 2SLGBTQI+ people, including for at-risk newcomer asylum seekers and refugees.