FIGHT AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA AWARD Honourees Propose a nomination

In 2003, Fondation Émergence established the Fight Against Homophobia Award. The Award is Fondation Émergence’s way of recognising the significant contribution made by a personality or organisation to combat the prejudice gays and lesbians are subjected to. Presented every year since 2003, the Award has also served to highlight not only openness toward gay and lesbian realities but also the successful work that enables society to accept these realities.

A panel of judges, assembled by Fondation Émergence, is composed of three members from the Fondation Émergence Board of Directors. After consultation with the community, the panel presents a list of finalists plus its recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Board designates who the Fight Against Homophobia Award recipient will be. The recipient’s name is then made public each year in connection with the International Day Against Homophobia. In this way, the recipient receives a sign of gratitude.

			2009 - Dany Turcotte Revealing that he is gay, the jokester of Québec’s most popular talk show Tout le monde en parle has garnered respect from the entire province. He’s living proof that you can be gay or lesbian, well-known, professionally successful, and can earn respect from men and women of all ages. What’s more, for parents who seem worried about what’s in store for their gay or lesbian child, he gives them hope and shows that being gay won’t jeopardize their future. Press Release
			2008 - Joanne Kathleen Rowling (International Recognition) When one of the main characters from the Harry Potter series, Professor Albus Dumbledore, revealed that he was gay, the international press reported this coming-out. Since this literary work is known throughout the entire world and considering that the character is highly revered by followers of this masterpiece, Ms. Rowlings declaration has created an undeniably positive impact in the fight against homophobia. Press Release
			2008 - Marc-André Bédard Highlighting the thirtieth anniversary of the Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms’ inclusion of banning sexual orientation as a basis for discrimination, Fondation Émergence has awarded the 2008 Fight Against Homophobia Award to Mr. Marc-André Bédard who was the Québec Justice Minister from 1976 to 1984, and the person behind this addition to the Charter. Fondation Émergence highlights his courage and faith in equal human rights. Press Release
			2007 - Mark Tewksbury Sportsman and top-level athlete, olympic medalist in swimming at the Seoul and Barcelona Games, Mark Tewksbury became a role model in the fight against homophobia: his courage and his determination are a source of inspiration for gays and lesbians aspiring to find success. Press Release
			2006 - Members of Canadian Parliament who voted in favour of the Civil Marriage Act as defenders of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Fondation Émergence wishes to highlight their clear contribution to the official approval of gays and lesbians’ legal equality and to the fight against homophobia. Press Release
			2005 - The Right Honourable Pierre Elliott Trudeau Fondation Émergence presented the Fight Against Homophobia 2005 Award, posthumously, to the former Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Pierre Elliott Trudeau. By presenting him with this award, Fondation Émergence wishes to highlight this politician's exceptional contribution to the advancement of gay and lesbian rights in Canada. We can recall two great moments in history that were decisive in the progress of gay and lesbian rights: in 1969, the repeal of clauses pertaining to the criminalization of sexual acts between persons of the same sex from the Canadian Criminal Code and, in 1982, the inclusion of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms within the Canadian Constitution during its repatriation. Pierre Elliott Trudeau was the head engineer of these fundamental changes and, in this sense, his contribution to the advancement of gay and lesbian rights was major, undoubtedly being the most important Canadian contribution on such a level. Press Release
			2004 - Father Raymond Gravel The Fight Against Homophobia 2004 Award has been given to Father Raymond Gravel, a Roman Catholic priest, to highlight his exceptional contribution in the debate about gay marriage when he said “that the Vatican was wrong when it condemns such a marriage” and for his courage and for the hope within his call to others to include and accept gays and lesbians.
			2003 - Ms. Janette Bertrand The Fight Against Homophobia 2003 Award has been given to Ms. Janette Bertrand to highlight the exceptional contribution of this woman to the evolution of mentalities in Québec.