Statement from Mayor and Council regarding support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community

STATEMENT - Distributed October 17, 2023 12:30 PM

As a Council, we are committed to ensuring that Nanaimo is an inclusive, welcoming and safe place for all who choose this vibrant city as their home. We stand in solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and condemn all acts of hate and violence towards members of their community.

We uphold the policies of equity, diversity and inclusion, which are embedded within City Plan: Nanaimo ReImagined, and we deeply value the well-being of all members of our community.

The City remains committed to identifying, removing and preventing barriers to inclusion and accessibility and we thank those who have reached out to share their experiences and concerns. We will continue to take action by implementing policies, procedures and practices that support and promote diversity, equity and inclusion. It is important to note that the BC Human Rights Code prohibits municipalities from discriminating against anyone in the provision of any accommodation, service or facility that is customarily available to the public.

Every person deserves to feel empowered to express their true self, but we recognize that many individuals within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community have been faced with hatred, ignorance and bigotry. Today, we wish to make it clear that this is not okay. Diversity is the heartbeat of our city, and hate has no place here.

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