The mandate of the Community Advisory Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues has transferred to the Roundtable on Access, Equity and Human Rights. The following information is provided for archival purposes.

In December 1999, Toronto City Council approved the final report and action plan of the Task Force on Community Access and Equity. One of the 97 recommendations included the establishment of a city-wide advisory committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Issues. If you would like to know how the committees were formed, visit our terms of reference page.

The committee was chaired by Councillor Kyle Rae. The committee can have up to 18 members. For information about the Community Advisory Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues, please call the coordinator at the bottom of this page.

The LGBT committee has been active in its first year, establishing several issue-based subcommittees, making deputations, reviewing City of Toronto policies and challenging homophobia within City Council.

The Community Advisory Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues began its work by reviewing the United Nations World Conference Against Racism and Related Intolerances NGO Declaration and Plan of Action document (2001) on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, as well as the following City policies:

• City Pension Plans - Same Sex Spousal Benefits;
• Hate Activity Policy Framework;
• Human Rights, Harassment Policy and Procedures;
• Equal Opportunity Anti-Discrimination Policy Requirements for Suppliers;
• City of Toronto Grants Policy;
• City of Toronto Employment Equity Policy;
• Public Education/Community Outreach; and
• Toronto Housing Corporation's anti-homophobia policy.

During the budget review process, the LGBT committee made a deputation to the Administration Committee, urging Toronto City Council not to reduce grant funding to the various agencies.

The Committee advocated for the equal treatment of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people, by writing to the mayor and all elected city councillors, in response to the homophobic statement made by a City councillor as reported in a Toronto newspaper in June 2001. The Committee asserted that discrimination against LGBTs is a violation of the human rights act and policy.

The housing subcommittee is working with the Shelter, Support & Housing division of Community and Neighbourhood Services to investigate possibilities for an LGBT youth shelter. They are also working with the Toronto Community Housing Corporation to identify and designate housing within the geographic LGBT community for LGBT seniors.

The communications subcommittee is developing a city-wide advertising campaign to promote awareness of LGBT issues and safety for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people.

The committee has established connections with Tourism Toronto, in an effort to promote Toronto as a gay-friendly tourist destination. They are also developing an integrated analysis of multiple oppressions after attending the joint Community Advisory Committee meetings, chaired by the City's Diversity Advocate.