May 23, 2016 | Sex & Society

Another reason to love Justin Trudeau

It's Victoria Day in Canada (the only country in the world that celebrates the great queen's birthday), so an appropriate time to turn our thoughts to the True North. 

As you must know, Canada made gay marriage legal in 2005, a full decade before the United States.

Last year the US Supreme Court ruled gay marriage was a right, but there's been a huge backlash as many state governments react with fear and ignorance, aiming their intolerance at another sexual minority, the transgendered.

Meanwhile, up in Canada, Justin Trudeau's Liberal government has introduced legislation that will guarantee transgender people equal rights. 

According to Canadian Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, the proposed law will "ensure that Canadians will be free to identify themselves and to express their gender as they wish while being protected against discrimination and hate, because as Canadians, we should feel free and safe to be ourselves."

The legislation would, if passed, make it illegal to prevent someone from getting a job or to discriminate in the workplace on the basis of gender identity or gender expression. It would also would also update the Criminal Code to extend hate speech laws to include gender identity and gender expression. 

Prime Minister Trudeau will march in Toronto's Gay Pride Parade on July 3. He will be accompanied by Ontario Premier (and lesbian) Kathleen Wynne, Toronto Mayor John Tory and City Councillor (and also lesbian) Kristyn Wong-Tam. 

Happy Victoria Day, Canada! And thanks for being you!