The Pride Flag flying in front of Loyalist College. Photo by Brittany Woodcock, QNet News.
By Brittany Woodcock [1]
BELLEVILLE – Local LGBT+ community members are not sleeping any easier after a controversy over gender identity curriculum swirled within the ranks of Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party this week.
During the party’s convention last weekend, a resolution was passed stating gender identity is a “liberal ideology” that the party wants to remove the teachings and promotions from Ontario schools and their curriculum.
This resolution has struck fear and confusion into the hearts of some Belleville residents.
One of those is Stacey Love-Jolicouer, a Belleville Pride committee member.
“On Friday, when I heard about it, I was very hurt. I was hurt so much that I actually contacted a human rights lawyer and had a discussion with her about filing a class action suit against the Progressive Conservative Party because we are protected under Bill C16 and the provincial government was trying to erase that part.”
She wasn’t the only one who was upset.
Eric Hargreaves, lead facilitator of SAY OutLoud!, an LGBT+ youth group, said he was really disappointed.
“When I first heard that and fairly angry,” he said. “That kind of language and that kind of attitude really hits to the core of people who are really just exploring. I don’t think people realize how much damage that kind of stuff does.”
But before the resolution got too far, Ford stepped in.
On Monday, Ford said the resolution came from the floor and he is going to do everything he can to make sure that it doesn’t move forward.
But most people believe that Ford should have said more.
“Well he can do lots about it so just do it and don’t leave that sort of vagueness there that it still might occur,” says Hargreaves.
Love-Jolicouer shares some of the same concerns.
“He said it’s not going to go forward now but he didn’t say that it’s not going to go forward ever. And that’s very concerning to anybody in the LGBT+ community.”
But Hargreaves says that it doesn’t seem like the provincial government is concerned about all of the people they’re serving.
“Ford talks about how we are the people’s party and we’re going to do the thing for the people of Ontario. Well, it seems that you have to have a certain definition to be apart of those people and it’s really unfortunate,” he said.
All this is a distraction from the real issues, Love-Jolicouer said
“I am who I am as well as other people are who they are and it’s none of our Progressive Conservative government’s business. We have way more issues that really need to be dealt with such as homelessness, poverty and crime instead of worrying about what’s in my pants,” she said.
Todd Smith, MPP for Bay of Quinte, released a written statement to QNet News Wednesday afternoon.
“As a member of provincial parliament, I have and will continue to stand up and protect the rights and dignity of all people – including members of our LGBTQ+ community. The resolution in question has been denounced by members of our caucus and the Premier himself – and the Premier has been very clear that this resolution does not constitute government policy, and it will never become a part of the government’s legislative agenda. I am a strong ally of the LGBTQ+ community, and I will continue to advocate for the rights of all people, and stand up against intolerance whenever I see it,” the release stated.
But Hargreaves has one question for the provincial government.
“How can we be the loving society that we say we want to be if we’re afraid to talk to the other and really embrace who they are?” he said.