QY Board letter to MP Hanley
Queer Yukon Board of Directors ask MP Brendan Hanley and Canadian Government to call for a Ceasefire in Gaza and Israel
Dear Dr. Hanley,
Since October 7th, we have witnessed in horror the tremendous loss of innocent civilian lives in Israel and Gaza. The vast majority of these deaths are in Gaza and include many children. Thousands more are displaced with little or no essentials for life.
We know that where basic needs and safety are scarce, those at the margins of society — including sexual and gender minorities — suffer disproportionately. As an organization that works to expand access to housing, healthcare and other basic human rights, we are horrified at these attacks on civilian life. We ask that you and the government of Canada call for an immediate and ongoing ceasefire.
In calling for a ceasefire, we join other governments, individuals and organizations including 35+ LGBTQIA+ organizations from Southwest Asia and North Africa, Canada’s Queer Muslim Network and organizations including Trans Health Saskatchewan, LGBT Youthline, Native Youth Sexual Health Network, progressive Jewish organizations in both Israel and Canada, leading feminist, queer and trans scholars, and a broad coalition of Canadian faith, humanitarian, and labour organizations including the Public Service Alliance of Canada which represents Queer Yukon Society workers.
Sincerely,
Duane Gastant Aucoin
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Queer Yukon Society
If you would like to support affected community members and/or learn more, we encourage you to check out the following resources:
Virtual Teach-In on Resisting Pink Washing and Queer Organizing in Palestine with @aswatfreedoms organized by @queercrescent and @palestinianfeministcollective, December 7th at 12pm Yukon Time. Register through the link in @queercrescent bio.
A Meal For Gaza: Fundraiser for Humanitarian Aid organized by Yukon Muslim Society, December 8th 3-5pm Yukon Time at the Whitehorse Mosque
Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity fundraiser to launch the first queer and trans Muslim helpline.
Queer Yukon is committed to opposing all forms of oppression and discrimination and we believe that calling for a ceasefire in Gaza aligns with this commitment. We recognize that some folks have used this moment of Palestinian solidarity as a cover to express antisemitic rhetoric and commit acts of violence against Jewish people. We want to be clear that we condemn all acts of hatred and oppression and support the collective liberation of all oppressed peoples.