Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile

As strong advocates for human rights, Canada and Chile are committed to promoting and protecting LGBTI communities around the world.

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs; His Excellency (H.E.) Heraldo Muñoz Valenzuela, Chile's Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Randy Boissonnault, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Special Advisor on LGBTQ2 issues, today announced Chile will join Canada as co-chairs of the Equal Rights Coalition.

The Equal Rights Coalition is the first intergovernmental network formed to promote and protect the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people around the world. More than 30 countries have joined the coalition since its launch in July 2016 at the Global LGBTI Human Rights Conference in Montevideo, Uruguay.

"Everyone deserves to live free of persecution and discrimination—no matter who they are or whom they love. Today, we, Canada and Chile, reaffirm our commitment to unequivocally defend LGBTQ2 rights as human rights. We will never stop fighting for a safer, more equal and more just world for all people" affirmed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada.

Foreign Minister Muñoz assured "the situation of LGBTI communities and their visibility as a particularly vulnerable group is an aspect of special concern to the Government of Chile. Our state policy is characterized by permanent support for the promotion and full respect of human rights, based on the recognition of human dignity and equality. As Equal Rights Coalition partners, Canada and Chile will work to achieve the greatest possible impact in ensuring that all over the world, LGBTI persons enjoy their human rights without discrimination."

Special Advisor to the Canadian Prime Minister on LGBTQ2 issues stated, "Canada has taken many important steps toward recognizing and protecting the legal rights for the LGBTQ2 community—from enshrining equality rights in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to the passage of the Civil Marriage Act. There remains much to be done, though. Far too many people around the world still face harassment, discrimination and violence for being who they are. This is unacceptable."