University
of Montreal creates research chair to study homophobia
for PinkNews.co.uk
24 november 2011, 1:17pm
The University of Quebec at Montreal is the
first on the North American continent to fund a research chair devoted to
studying homophobia.
Sexological research undertaken by the university hopes to quantify effects of homophobia on the LGBT community and inform public debate on policy and social justice.
The Quebecois government has given $475,000 (CAD), around £290,000, to the French-speaking university’s programme, which was launched in a ceremony attended by Jean Charest, the Premier of Quebec.
Justice Minister Jean-Marc Fournier, who is
responsible for tackling homophobia, told the Canadian Press: “The most recent
statistics paint an alarming portrait.
“Homosexual people are almost three times as
likely to become victims of a violent crime as heterosexuals.”
The government is reported to be investing
$7.1m (CAD) over the next five years on projects designed to tackle homophobia.
The announcement was made at the Écomusée du
Fier Monde de Montréal, a gathering of LGBT people, researchers, academics and
government representatives involved in the fight against homophobia.
Line Chamberland, who will be first to take
up the post, said: “Sometimes [service providers] will say there are no gays or
lesbians here. We have to document that they are there and that they have
problems.”
“The better you understand the effect of
homophobia [...] the better you can convince people.”
More news: http://xandrasplace.com/
Twittter: http://twitter.com/xandrasplace
Facebook:: http://facebook.com/xandrasplace2