Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on July 20, 2005, marriage equality, a fundamental right guaranteed to all, was embraced in this country when the Government of Canada ended the unfair restrictions and allowed straight and LGBTQ Canadians to choose who they love and to have their love recognized legally. Today, the NWT is home to a vibrant LGBTQ community who serve as tireless advocates of their community and who contribute greatly to our distinct society.
Mr. Speaker, I’m proud to be living in an age where Northerners have the freedom to love who they want and openly celebrate their identity and values. Mr. Speaker, our friends to the south, the United States, at long last passed into law marriage equality on June 26, 2015. Again, love won that day and Canadians celebrated alongside them. It is a reminder even here in the North that we are all affected by events across the world. It is with a heavy heart that I must acknowledge profound loss and sadness due to events far from home today. In Orlando, members of the local LGBTQ community gathered at Pulse, a safe space built by the sister of a gay man who lost his life to the AIDS epidemic, where they could dance, love and be true to themselves. This all changed when one man took it upon himself to take that safe space away, using violence and hate to end the lives of 50 individuals leaving many more wounded and fighting to hold on. This horrific event is now considered the worst mass shooting in modern American history and has left countless LGBTQ communities worldwide feeling vulnerable and unsafe. This is why it is so important that we embrace love and stand together in solidarity with gays, lesbians and transgendered peoples everywhere to unequivocally condemn acts of hate, violence and oppression aimed towards them. Mr. Speaker, the fight for true equality in Canada and the world is far from over. Yesterday’s tragedy is a somber reminder of that fact; as well, it is easy to succumb to base emotions in dark days such as this. Instead, I choose to remember the love that we celebrated in earnest just a year before. Mr. Speaker, I ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. We must continue embracing our fellow Northerners for it is love that makes us stronger; it is love borne from our diversity and borne of our love of freedom. We must reflect our unique identify in our schools, in our communities, and in all aspects of public life. As leaders of this government what we can do is to celebrate our diversity and speak out against hate whenever we see it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause
Masi. Our condolences and prayers go out to our neighbouring United States, and more specifically Orlando. Prayers to the family and friends. Masi. Members’ statements. Member for Nunakput.
