Montreal University To Get First Research Chair In North America On Homophobia, Major League Baseball New Collective Bargaining Agreement To Include Sexual Orientation Discrimination Clause, London Wasps Become First Professional Rugby Union Club To Sign Government Charter Ridding Sport Of Homophobic And Transphobic Abuse, David Pocock

Montreal will be getting North America's first research chair on homophobia, with the Universite du Quebec a Montreal planning to study its impact on mental, physical and sexual health. The Canadian Press reports that the program will receive a $475,000 grant from the Quebec government, according to an announcement made Monday by Premier Jean Charest. The project will benefit from the work of 20 researchers, coming from a handful of Quebec post-secondary institutions. The university has also received private donations and there are plans to do corporate fundraising — as well as asking for a federal contribution. The announcement comes a month after the suicide of Ottawa teenager Jamie Hubley, whose death prompted a national conversation on homophobic bullying. "The most recent statistics paint an alarming portrait," said provincial Justice Minister Jean-Marc Fournier. "We can see that homosexual people are almost three times as likely to become victims of a violent crime as heterosexuals. One gay or lesbian person out of two has suicidal thoughts because of the homophobic violence at school. Elderly gay and lesbian people fear going into a residence, out of fear they'll have to hide their sexual orientation."

Major League Baseball, which saw Jackie Robinson break the color barrier in 1947, Tuesday will announce incremental progress in another civil rights issue. The new collective bargaining agreement adds "sexual orientation" to its section on discrimination, a person with direct knowledge of the agreement told The New York Daily News. Article XV, Section A of the MLB's expiring Basic Agreement, in effect from 2006-2011, states: "The provisions of this Agreement shall be applied to all Players covered by this Agreement without regard to race, color, religion or national origin." In the new agreement, which will be made public Tuesday afternoon, the words "sexual orientation" will be added to the equivalent section. The decision follows that National Football League, which did the same in their CBA this year. Baseball officials familiar with the process describe the mention of "sexual orientation" as not necessarily related to the NFL, and as a provision readily agreed upon by both union and league negotiators. The change in wording comes at the end of a significant year for gay rights issues. The military abolished its "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, and same-sex marriage became legal in New York state. In baseball, several teams filmed an "It Gets Better Video," an anti-bullying effort aimed at lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. Still, there remains disagreement within locker rooms whether an MLB team is ready to accept an openly gay teammate. When news of the same sex marriage law broke, several Mets said privately they would be uncomfortable with an openly gay teammate (while others said they would not), one Met explaining, "Most of us are still Neanderthals." The new CBA is not likely to change attitudes, but it will make discrimination based on sexual orientation against the rules.

"London Wasps have become the first professional rugby union club to sign the Government Charter for Action to rid sport of homophobic and transphobic abuse. The Charter was launched by Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone in March this year and commits signatories to challenge discrimination both on and off the pitch. London Wasps join Wycombe Wanderers, with whom they share a ground, in signing the charter which has already attracted support from the Rugby Football Union, the Football Association, the Rugby Football League, and the Lawn Tennis Association alongside top names in sport including Rugby World Cup winner Ben Cohen and tennis star Martina Navratilova. Minister Featherstone said, “There is no room for prejudice of any kind, anywhere in sport. The Government has created a Charter for Action which commits signatories to challenge discrimination and work to rid sport of homophobic and transphobic abuse both on the stands and in the field, so that everyone can take part in and enjoy sport. I congratulate London Wasps on being the first professional rugby union club in the country to sign the Charter. They have joined 30 different sports and over 2000 other organisations and individuals who have pledged their support so far, and I applaud them for doing so. I encourage everyone who loves Rugby Union to sign the Charter and help kick homophobia and transphobia out of sport for good.” London Wasps winger Tom Varndell signed the Charter on behalf of the club this week to coincide with the launch of LGBT History Month in the UK. Varndell said, “As a Club we are committed to supporting anything which helps to stamp out all forms of discrimination in the game. I believe rugby does a very good job at encouraging and welcoming players, fans and officials of a range of diverse backgrounds already and long may this continue because everybody should be able to enjoy sport, regardless of who they are and where they've come from.” World Cup winner Ben Cohen MBE, who has also signed the Charter said, “It’s great to see that London Wasps have joined the support of this important Charter. With football and rugby clubs getting involved maybe things can start to change and we will see other sporting organisations join in. As sporting role models, we all have a duty to set an example to all, on and off the pitch so well done Wasps! I’m looking forward to seeing who is next.” The Charter is part of the government’s Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality.

Gay-ally and rugby star David Pocock training Tuesday