A recent star-studded LGBT event at the United Nations featuring Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Ricky Martin and South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka had the support of many countries, but Canada sat on the sidelines.
Representatives from the United States, Japan, Israel, Britain and several other European countries helped organize the panel, Leadership in the Fight against Homophobia, held on Dec 11.
Canada was conspicuously absent from the list of organizing countries.
When asked why Canada was not involved with the event, a spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offered this statement:
“Canada was not involved in the organization of this particular UN event, but Canadian officials attended and Canada supports action to combat homophobia.”
Below is a video of the panel provided by the United Nations.