The 2SLGBTQI Policy Paradox: Why have improvements in rights not closed health gaps?
In recent decades, Canada has enacted a series of legislative and policy protections to support the health, wellbeing, and safety of 2SLGBTQI people. And yet, we continue to see a large gap in health status between 2SLGBTQI people and cisgender-heterosexual (cishet) people. We created Rainbow Canada to help us understand this paradox. Building on this, we want to learn what else is needed to better understand and redress these inequities. You can help us!
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The Policy Paradox
A timeline of 2SLGBTQI policies in Canada
Canada’s Rainbow Score has changed over the years, as new policies and laws are put in place to better protect the rights and safety of 2SLGBTQI people. Despite these advances, health inequities persist. Learn more about this policy paradox.
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Gender-affirming healthcare access
Which province or territory has the most comprehensive coverage for gender-affirming healthcare?
About
Welcome to Rainbow Canada!
This website centralizes information about federal, provincial, and territorial laws and policies protecting the rights and well-being of 2SLGBTQI (Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and more) people in Canada.
It’s meant as a tool for understanding, advocating for, and making policy to advance 2SLGBTQI rights. Use our dynamic maps to visualize how laws and policies have evolved over time, to compare data cross-provincially, and to identify opportunities to better support 2SLGBTQI rights, and delve into the rich history of 2SLGBTQI rights in Canada!
- Conversion therapy
- Introduction to 2SLGBTQI conversion therapy, and a review of the current Canadian policy landscape and recommended policy actions.
- Reproductive healthcare
- Recommendations for policy and practice that promote equitable access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare for 2SLGBTQI people in Canada.
- Gender-affirming care
- An overview of the current Canadian policy landscape and recommendations for policy actions to improve access to gender-affirming care.
- Employment discrimination
- An exploration of employment discrimination faced by 2SLGBTQI people and an overview of opportunities to improve labour market equity.
The Rainbow Index
Understanding the policy domains
A jurisdiction’s (i.e., country/province/territory) Rainbow score is determined based on the policies and laws in place to protect 2SLGBTQI rights across six key policy domains. Higher scores indicate that a jurisdiction has enacted more domain-specific policies and laws to protect 2SLGBTQI rights.
Equality and Non-Discrimination
This policy domain evaluates how well a jurisdiction’s laws and policies protect people against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. It looks at whether laws and policies are in place to protect 2SLGBTQI people's rights to freedom from discrimination in areas like employment, education, and health.
Canada
Explore Canada’s Rainbow Scores
See how policies and laws in Canada compare to those in other countries.
Provinces and Territories
Compare scores across Canada
Policies and laws enacted at the provincial and territorial level can further support the rights of 2SLGBTQI people in Canada. Compare Rainbow scores across different jurisdictions in Canada.
Make a difference
Take action today!
Find information on how to create a more inclusive Canada and resources to combat the rise in anti-2SLGBTQI hate.
Challenge your friends.
Have some fun.
Already tested your knowledge of 2SLGBTQI rights in Canada? Challenge others to take the Rainbow Canada quiz!