Speaker
Description
The Jasmin Roy and Sophie Desmarais Foundation conducted one of the largest surveys on sexual and gender diversity in Canada in 2024. Out of 8,396 Canadians who participated in this study, 7,481 identified as sexually and gender diverse. Among these respondents, 1,309 self-identified as transgender, and 1,625 as non-binary. The study underscores an urgent need for assistance and support for young people who are sexually and gender diverse, particularly for transgender and non-binary individuals.
Educational institutions are environments where violence and discrimination must be closely monitored. Nearly one in two youths aged 15 to 17 (46%) who experienced violence or discrimination in the past year reported that it occurred within or near a school setting. To address the violence faced by young people in educational contexts, we propose specific programs and educational measures focused on fostering pro-diversity social and emotional learning for all young people. These initiatives aim to enhance and strengthen the support that practitioners can provide through a caring approach that promotes full recognition and empowerment.
Enhancing sexual education courses has been identified by both individuals from diverse backgrounds and the general Canadian population as the most effective action to promote the well-being and integration of people from sexual and gender diversity. This is particularly important as most young people begin questioning their sexual orientation during their school years (between the ages of 6 and 19) and their gender identity during childhood (between the ages of 6 and 12) or adolescence (between the ages of 13 and 19).
Keywords
Nearly one in two youths aged 15 to 17 (46%) from sexual and gender diversity who experienced violence or discrimination in the past year reported that it occurred within or near a school setting in Canada.
Sexually and gender-diverse people are more subject to violence and discrimination. In the last 12 months, 23% of the country's general population experienced violence, whereas for people of sexual and gender diversity, this percentage rose to 46% (over their lifetime, 69% of the Canadian population have experienced some form of violence or discrimination, compared to 89% for people of diversity). This suggests that, despite positive developments in the acceptance of sexually and gender-diverse people, often they are still the targets of violence. Physical appearance (18%), gender identity (15%) and sexual orientation (15%) are the main motives for the reported violence and discrimination.
| Please indicate what type of scientific contribution it is | Quantitative method study |
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| Please also indicate what kind of contribution it is: | Mixed |
