November 21, 2011
UQAM creates a new research chair on homophobia , the first permanent Chair on this issue in North America. The launch took place today in the presence of Quebec Premier Jean Charest, the Minister of Justice, Attorney General and Minister responsible for the fight against homophobia, Jean-Marc Fournier, President and CEO Quebec Council of gays and lesbians, Steve Foster, and rector of UQAM, Claude Corbo.
Led by Professor Line Chamberland, Department of Sexology, the work of this Chair will allow a better understanding of the characteristics of various sexual minorities and problems experienced by these people in various settings. A better understanding of resistance to sexual diversity will strengthen the effectiveness of campaigns.
Research themes of the Chair
With the support of the Department of Justice, principal partner of the Chair, Dr. Chamberland and his team will analyze the process of marginalization and discrimination of sexual minorities and their psychosocial effects on gays, lesbians and bisexuals, transsexual and transgender. Their reflections will also address the needs of these communities, as well as evaluation of programs and policies to fight against homophobia in schools, workplaces and health services.
Committed partners
In addition to the Department of Justice, the Chair has the support of donors and works with organizations that believe in its mission. It also continues its active search for partners that will enable it play its role in production and transfer of knowledge to communities. The support of the ministry and all partners is essential to hire a team of researchers around the chair, while creating the confidence that its work will impact the fight against homophobia.
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You can read the story No to Homophobia! , published in the latest edition of the magazine Inter- UQAM.
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