Canada Joins the Global Equality Fund

May 17, 2018

The text of the following joint statement was issued by the Governments of Canada and the United States:

The United States and Canada recognize that protecting and respecting human rights is the responsibility of all governments, and that the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons are not different or separate from the human rights of anyone else.  Defending the human rights of LGBTI persons is an important part of our foreign policies.

Consistent with its commitment to these values, Canada formally announced it would join the Global Equality Fund as a donor Partner, with its contribution designated specifically to provide emergency assistance to LGBTI persons under threat of violence.  The Global Equality Fund, a public-private partnership administered by the United States, is built on its Partners’ shared commitment to advancing freedom, equality, and dignity for all.

Through the Global Equality Fund, like-minded governments, foundations, and corporations provide support to civil society organizations working to promote the inclusion of and respect for all persons, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics.

The United States and Canada will continue to work to ensure that all people – including LGBTI people – can live in dignity, freedom, and equality.

Global Equality Fund Partners include the governments of Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United States of America, and Uruguay, as well as the Arcus Foundation, the John D. Evans Foundation, FRI: the Norwegian LGBT Organization, the M•A•C AIDS Fund, Deloitte LLP, the Royal Bank of Canada, Hilton Worldwide, Bloomberg L.P., the Human Rights Campaign and Out Leadership.