Ed. note: Jeanie McLean, the minister responsible for the Women and Gender Equity Directorate, issued this statement last Thursday.

It’s important as the minister responsible for Women and Gender Equity to recognize and say thank you to Yukon’s transgender community, allies and advocates.

These individuals are working with such commitment and determination to ensure this community’s basic human rights such as freedom of opinion and expression and the right to security – to safety are respected.

I am so impressed by their courage and dedication working to create a territory that is safe, equitable and inclusive for all, and I hold my hands up to them.

Last week, the House recognized the first Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQIA+ Awareness to Celebration Day, to recognize the unique experience and challenges faced by Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Yukoners.

I was honoured to be joined by members of the Two-Spirit community and to hear their personal stories.

I hope that hearing from these incredible role models will help young people feel proud of who they are and know they can find a safe and welcoming community here in the Yukon.

As the minister responsible – and as deputy premier – I want the Yukon’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community to know that our government is 100 per cent committed to supporting them.

Our government recognizes their incredible spirit and gifts.

At the same time, we recognize the challenges some face and we want you to know, you are not alone.

It’s important that our government is working in allyship as we strive to create a society that is inclusive and free of discrimination.

This is why we have the LGBTQ2S+ Inclusion Action Plan. This document is all about supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community with tangible action and I’m pleased to share our government is making progress.

As of March 2024, our government has completed 17 action items.

We have another 53 underway or ongoing, and we hope to soon begin work on the remaining 34 items.

Our current work includes funding to Queer Yukon Society such as:

• government funding to Queer Yukon over three years for a health care navigator position that will help support 2SLGBTQIA+ Yukoners by removing barriers and identifying pathways to safe, inclusive and supportive gender-affirming care;

• government funding this fiscal year will go towards Queer Yukon’s operational funding; and

• funding under the National Action Plan to End Gender Based Violence is provided for projects aimed at preventing and responding to gender-based violence.

In addition, our government is:

• supporting a full-time Government of Yukon staff member to co-ordinate the implementation of the LGBTQ2S+ Inclusion Action Plan;

• implementing the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Policy or SOGI in Yukon schools – which supports the inclusion, well-being and safety of our territory’s students;

• showing leadership across Canada through our gender-affirming care policy – which is the most comprehensive of its kind in Canada – so that eligible Yukoners can receive health care insurance coverage for gender-affirming care services; and

• offering internal staff training for Government of Yukon employees such as the workshop on 2SLGBTQIA+ Awareness and Inclusion in Services and Practices.

We have also offered training for Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services staff in transgender health best practices through the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.

This training is part of the onboarding process for new Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services employees and includes all nurses, social workers and counsellors.