The Yukon Liberals have prioritized making the Yukon a more inclusive and equitable place for LGBTQ2S+ Yukoners over the past 4 years. That important work will continue, with new initiatives announced today.

After being elected in 2016, we focused on updating legislation that was outdated and discriminatory. We made discrimination based on your gender identity illegal, removed requirements for sex reassignment surgery before a person can change the sex on their birth registration, and changed the language in multiple pieces of legislation to include language that is inclusive of LGBTQ2S+ Yukoners.

We undertook Yukon’s first comprehensive engagement with the LGBTQ2S+ community, taking to heart the approach of “nothing about us, without us”. Following that engagement, we banned conversion therapy, provided Queer Yukon with core operational funding to support their advocacy work, and prioritized the introduction of gender inclusive designs into new construction and renovations. Gender inclusive washrooms can now be found in several Yukon Government buildings in the territory.

We have expanded and enhanced the services available to Trans Yukoners. The Yukon became the first jurisdiction in Canada to provide health professionals with training at no cost from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, to ensure the healthcare available to Trans Yukoners is informed and compassionate. We established a free counselling program specifically geared towards Trans Yukoners in partnership with All Genders Yukon Society and Ignite Counselling to support transgender, two-spirit, non-binary individuals and their partners.

Most recently, we expanded Yukon’s healthcare to cover surgeries and other procedures essential to gender transition. The new policy is being recognized as the most comprehensive health coverage for gender-affirming care in North America.

If re-elected, we will continue to prioritize the wellbeing of LGBTQ2S+ Yukoners. We will release a comprehensive LGBTQ2S+ Action Plan, which will guide Yukon’s continued shift towards a more inclusive society.

We will work with Queer Yukon to make the Yukon Pride Centre a reality, which will provide a safe, welcoming and supportive gathering place for LGBTQ2S+ Yukoners, because we recognize that everyone deserves a space to feel comfortable, safe and supported.

We will continue to modernize legislation to ensure that it reflects all Yukoners and does not discriminate based on gender identity or marital status. This will include modernizing the Vital Statistics Act to reflect the realities of modern Yukon families.

“All Yukoners deserve to have access to healthcare and services that meet their needs, and the Government's policies and laws should reflect that. We are much closer to equality than we were 4 years ago, but there is still more to do. This has been a priority for the Liberals, and me personally, and I am so proud of the work that has been done. Together with the Liberal team, I am excited to continue this vital work.”

            Tracy-Anne McPhee, Liberal candidate for Riverdale South

“All Yukoners deserve respect, and Yukon’s diverse population is a sign of its strength. The Liberals recognize this and have taken tangible steps to make the territory more inclusive and equitable. Together we can continue to build healthy, vibrant communities where Yukoners feel safe and welcome, and are able to live their best lives.”

            Luke Campbell, Liberal candidate for Kluane

Key Facts:

• Legislation changed under the Yukon Liberal Party to make the Yukon a more equitable place include:
  • Changed Yukon’s laws to make them gender neutral by changing the Vital Statistics Act and the Human Rights Act
  • Made discrimination based on your gender identity illegal in Yukon through the creation of the new Gender Diversity and Related Amendments Acts
  • Changed key laws to make them more inclusive of same-sex partners and repealed the Women’s Property Act.
  • Brought forward the Equality of Spouses Statute Law Amendment Act, which amended multiple pieces of Yukon legislation with language that is inclusive of LGBTQ2S+ Yukoners.