An advocate for sexual health and the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community has received the Newfoundland and Labrador 2024 Human Rights Award.

Charlie Murphy, who came to the province from Nova Scotia, has called St. John’s home for the last 15 years.

In that time, he dedicated his life to building an inclusive, supportive, and sustainable community through this work in a number of ways.

A co-founder of Quadrangle, he is currently the province’s board rep for the Enchante Network and has been a peer support co-facilitator with PFLAG for close to 13 years.

Murphy says human rights advocacy has never been more important than it is now.

“In this age of rapidly changing technology, we continue to witness how fear-mongering, misinformation, and hate can isolate so many from their basic human rights,” Murphy said in his speech at Government House yesterday. “Human rights is not an abstract principle, or moral ideals. It is the foundation of a just society. These rights ensure that everyone, regardless of background, identity or circumstances, has the opportunity to live a life of dignity, freedom and opportunity. They’re not bargaining chips to be used for political gain, but are inherent to our shared humanity.”