OTTAWA - “The Conservative Party of Canada has turned its back on 2SLGBTQ+ people, choosing hate, regression and division over a more free and equal Canada.” said Fae Johnstone, Executive Director of the Society of Queer Momentum, as Conservative politicians failed to recognize the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia and continue to align with anti-LGBTQ+ groups instead of supporting LGBTQ+ rights.
Last week, thousands of Canadians participated in Queer Momentum’s national Rainbow Week of Action that culminated on May 17th, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). Elected officials participated by attending rallies and flag raising events, and taking a pledge to defend rainbow equality. There was one glaring absence: No Conservative MPs attended IDAHOBIT events. Not a single Conservative MP took the pledge to defend rainbow equality. Only one Conservative MP recognized IDAHOBIT on social media.
“Failing to recognize a day of great significance to LGBTQ+ people, a day founded to commemorate the anniversary of the World Health Organization declassifying homosexuality as a disease, speaks volumes about the modern Conservative Party,” said Fae Johnstone. “This year’s theme was 'No one left behind: equality, freedom and justice for all', a theme that should resonate with everyone who believes in a more free and equal Canada, but it seems Canadian Conservatives are happy to leave LGBTQ+ Canadians behind."
“After some positive steps in the last decade move past their legacy of homophobia and transphobia, federal Conservatives are backsliding on LGBTQ+ rights. They might call themselves the party of freedom, but clearly they don’t believe in freedom for everyone - at least, not for LGBTQ+ Canadians,” said Fae Johnstone.
“Let’s remember, half the Conservative caucus voted against a ban on conversion therapy. They opposed basic human rights protections for transgender Canadians. Some of them opposed marriage equality,” said Fae Johnstone. “They don’t actually believe in freedom. They believe in control - controlling our bodies, who we love, how we express ourselves and how we live our lives.”