June is Pride Month and the whole premise around pride is to help instill a sense of self-love into the community and foster self-acceptance. Well, here in Canada there’s a major self-love crisis happening because 34% percent of LGBTQ2+ people in Canada rank in the lowest quartile of self-love. Recognizing this result might come from a range of factors like discrimination, rejection and homophobia, The Body Shop Canada is pledging to not only celebrate self-expression this World Pride Month but also fight for LGBTQ2+ equality.
Did you know that in Canada, each year there are thousands of willing blood donors who are turned away because of their sexual orientation or gender identity? This is an archaic and harmful assumption that doesn’t reflect scientific realities, nor the values of our community. Is your blood boiling yet? Well, The Body Shop’s is and they’re helping to fight the good fight against this discrimination.
The Body Shop
Hilary Lloyd, VP Marketing & Values, North America said, “The Body Shop supports the All Blood is Equal Coalition to end the discriminatory blood donation ban that some from the LGBTQ2+ community face. In Canada, each year thousands of willing blood donors are turned away because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Prospective donors who are gay, bisexual, two-spirit, queer men and trans women face an arbitrary, discriminatory 3-month period of abstinence before they can donate blood.”
ADVERTISEMENT |
Want to know how you can help? Starting today, The Body Shop Canada is encouraging folks to visit its Pride Hub online and sign the All Blood is Equal Coalition petition, or visit stores across Canada to do the same. What’s more, is that The Body Shop is matching each signature by donating $1 to the All Blood is Equal Coalition, up to $10,000.
All Blood is Equal
“When we rely on sexual orientation or gender identity for blood donation criteria, it’s inherently discriminatory.” Osmel Maynes, Executive Director Capital Pride, founding member of the All Blood is Equal coalition. “Rather than eliminate potential donors based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, Canada should shift towards a behaviour and risk-based screening process.”
To make an even deeper promise to the LGBTQ2+ community, The Body Shop has also been reviewing and making improvements to its internal practices to ensure transgender employees are supported.
ADVERTISEMENT |
“We are proud to support The Body Shop’s LGBTQ2+ family of colleagues and customers to live their lives to their fullest,” Lloyd said. “We seek to empower all our colleagues and customers to be allies, including shining a light on LGBTQ2+ equality this Pride season.”
