The Politics of Inequality

An analysis of the policies aiming to protect transgender, non-binary and intersex individuals in Canada

Abstract

Ever since the Stonewall riots of 1969 the world has seen a surge in advocacy and policy promoting equality for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community. Canada is no exception to this, and since the federal policy legalizing same-sex marriage in 2005, the country has been making strides to ensure the protection and equality of LGBTQ Canadians. Federal, provincial and territorial governments have aimed their policies towards the protection of certain groups within the LGBTQ community. An often-targeted group are the individuals who identify as transgender, non-binary and intersex as the country has seen many legislative assemblies adopt policy aimed at the protection of this group. Despite this, it is widely understood that members of the LGBTQ community who identify as transgender, non-binary or intersex often face extreme hardship within society. This paper explores the question "how much state intervention is legitimate to promote greater social inclusion?" and, through an analysis of reports, media testemonies and academic litterature, argues that Canada lacks the policy required to create social inclusion for transgender, non-binary and intersex individuals in two key sectors, employment and healthcare.