The Federal Liberals announced they’re giving $1.7 million to other countries to research and support sexual minority groups. 

The Liberals’ idea was pledged at a conference of the Dignity Network by MP Anita Vandenbeld, who said that groups opposing LGBT rights are “increasingly well-funded and globally co-ordinated.” 

$1 million of the funding will go towards foreign research led by the U.S. aid department to investigate how other countries are responding to LGBT stigma and crises. 

The remaining money will be used for the Rainbow Railroad, a non-profit organization located in Toronto “that helps LGBTQI+ people facing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics,” as stated on their website. 

The funding will also help aid the non-profit’s research regarding the negative treatment of sexual minorities around the world and share information with governments hoping to decrease what they see as violence. 

Pride activists demand quicker and larger funding 

Despite Trudeau’s Government pledging $1.7 million to foreign LGBT funding, certain pride activists are criticizing the liberals for failing to fund them sooner.

Global Affairs Canada subsequently stated that the COVID-19 pandemic is the cause of delayed funding, and they plan to further increase their spending on LGBT-related issues. 

Rainbow week of action 

Starting in the middle of May, the rainbow week of action will take place organized by Society of Queer Momentum, which stated that “rallies are planned in 12 Canadian cities leading up to May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia.”