Bill C-16 Language Analysis

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While Canada is generally regarded as a country with a relaxed political climate filled with kind people and freezing temperatures, Bill C-16, a proposed amendment to the Canadian Human Rights Code relating to gender and gender politics, has become a hot-button issue worldwide. From its initial publication in May 2016 to its passage in October of this year, Bill C-16 has been an issue of concern for some and a reason to rejoice for others. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression to a list of protected identities and criminalizes discrimination towards non-binary individuals. The bill also extends to the prevention of hate propaganda (also referred to as “hate speech”) in regards to a bias motivated by an individual’s gender identity …show more content…
Non-binary gender identities are defined as the following: people who are “neither male nor female and may identify as both male and female at one time, as different genders at different times, as no gender at all, or dispute the very idea of only two genders”. While uncommon, it is true that gender identities outside of the male/female dichotomy have existed for centuries, throughout many cultures. An example of this is the Sulawesi people from Indonesia who have a system of five genders. Four of the Sulawesi genders closely correspond with the stereotypical roles in Western Society concerning heterosexual and homosexual men and women. The fifth recognized gender encompasses a combination of the traits of all genders and the stereotypes of their sexual identities, however, the requirement for individuals in this gender category is that they must have been born …show more content…
For hundreds of years, homosexuality was punishable by death. Throughout the 1900’s, numerous amendments were made that aimed to further criminalize homosexual men and women. While the condemnation of gays and lesbians by the Canadian government has been significantly reduced since the 1970's, there are people who suggest trans issues were still being largely ignored, up until the enactment of Bill C-16.
Those who support the bill believe that this is an important step in creating safer communities for people who identify as genderqueer. Along with this, it will enshrine protection from discrimination into law, which is important given the past abuses of law towards individuals who deviate too far from the accepted social customs of the time. They also believe this bill will further the fight for equality for the rights of women, minorities, and other members of the LGBT