As of Oct. 14, there has been lots of smiles, warm words, and hands shaken by federal party leaders, but there have been no policy statements put out by any political party on the issues that LGBTQ2+ communities face.
It’s not that party leaders haven’t been open about their stances on LGBTQ2+ issues. Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer’s notable absence from pride parades, and his 2005 comments regarding the validity of gay marriage, have been hotly discussed time and time again.
Other party leaders have jumped on these actions by Scheer in half-hearted attempts to establish the Conservative Party as one that is ideologically opposed to queer rights, contrary to their own parties.
All this pandering serves only the politicians. Scheer, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, and Green Party leader Elizabeth May can claim to defend tolerance and fairness for all, but these claims need to be backed up by official policy positions.
Attacking Scheer for not supporting queer Canadians does nothing for gay men who are barred from donating blood, or people who can be criminally charged for failing to disclose their HIV-positive status prior to sexual activity—a law that does not extend to other STIs that don’t disproportionately affect members of the LGBTQ2+ community.
It’s time for party leaders to announce policies that will end these and other injustices faced by queer Canadians, rather than continually pay the community hollow lip service.
File photo.
