Hold on to what is good even if it is a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe even if it is a tree which stands by itself.
Hold on to what you must do even if it is a long way from here.
Hold on to life even when it is easier letting go.
Hold on to my hand even when I have gone away from you.
- Pueblo Blessing
Friday, Jun. 18, 2004 - 12:15 a.m.
WARNING!!!! if you know me personally, you may read my diary, but if you do, you take the chance of hearing things you don't want to know, misunderstanding what I've written and being hurt by it. If you are unsure if it is ok to read, save yourself and me the grief and heartache, and ask first!!! Please note that this is a DIARY, ie my subjective feelings, hearsay, suppositions, and outpourings of ranting of the moment. It does not represent objective news, the whole of what I think of a topic or someone, or even a thought-out representation of any of the above. Keep that in mind. Thanks. * Here is a Diary Etiquette Read Me.
Gay Issues in the Upcoming Canadian Election
Just thought I'd copy and paste this as an entry.
Truly the thoughts are frightening. Anger at the Liberals could cause people to lose their heads and forget that the Alliance and the Conservatives are now a genetically modified scary thing, merged together.
So, you Canadians reading this. Think about it. What direction do we want to go in? Away from the tolerance and community spirit, respect for human rights, and world class attitudes that demark us? Or towards the repression and reactionary religion of the States (yeah i know, not ALL of you).
And you in the states can see that we Canadians DO have our own bogeymen just waiting to get voted in. eek.
With a federal election fast approaching, this is a crucial time for LGBT equality in Canada!
Conservative leader Stephen Harper has dismissed sexual orientation as a "behaviour" and said he does not even recognize us as groups protected by the Charter. The Conservatives will not only override the
Charter, they will appoint judges that ensure they'll never even have to. His candidates have described sexual orientation as "deviant", "unnatural", "repulsive" and as encompassing paedophilia. In two weeks, Stephen Harper could be Prime Minister of Canada.
Stockwell Day ("God, as a God of love, warns us about things that can be detrimental to us. One of those things is sodomy") is the Conservative Foreign Affairs Critic. In two weeks, Stockwell Day could be Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Myron Thompson ("I want the whole world to know that I do not condone homosexuals. ... think it is unnatural and I think it is totally immoral") is the Conservative Assistant Justice Critic. In two weeks, he could be Canada's Minister of Justice.
IT'S TIME TO TAKE ACTION.
What you can do:
1. Go to all-candidates meetings. We need to keep the pressure on the Conservatives to keep their regressive stance on the Charter in the public spotlight. All-candidates meetings are public meetings where all the candidates speak about their positions and answer questions from the public. Contact your local candidates to find out when and where all-candidates meetings will take place. Bring your friends! Sitting near a microphone may help ensure you get a chance to ask your question.
Ask the Conservative candidate questions, like the ones below. While Mr. Harper is skilled at hiding his agenda, many candidates on his team are not. They have been instructed to keep quiet on our issues, but they may not be able to resist a direct question, such as:
(i) Stephen Harper claims that he supports equality for gay and lesbian Canadians, yet he is on record as saying that the Charter should not protect gay and lesbian Canadians.
Do you think the Charter should protect gay and lesbian Canadians?
(ii) Stephen Harper has refused to reveal his intention to use the notwithstanding clause to take away Charter protection from gays and lesbians.
Do you support equal civil marriage for same-sex couples? If not, would you vote in favour of using the notwithstanding clause to take away Charter protection from gay and lesbian Canadians?
2. Check out www.egale.ca and www.equal-marriage.ca and find out where your local candidates stand. Help supportive candidates by contacting their campaign and getting involved. Volunteer with their campaigns. It really does make a difference. Get a lawn sign. This election is close, and working in the trenches is vitally important. www.equal-marriage.ca has contact info for supportive candidates.
3. Make a donation to Egale. We are working hard this election, both on our own and in partnership with Canadians for Equal Marriage (who get much of their resources from Egale). Our plans far exceed our financial capabilities. Please visit www.egale.ca and donate today!!
Above all, DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!
You can find out how to vote at www.elections.ca.
You may wish to check out what's going on in your riding. For info on the results from the last federal election and postings on what's happening this election, visit www.electionprediction.org. While the Conservatives are contenders in many ridings, there are also many where they are not, such as Toronto-Danforth, Trinity Spadina and Ottawa Centre.
Our voices do count: working together we can make a difference. Please do your part to stop Stephen Harper and the Conservatives from turning back the clock on LGBT equality.
Sincerely,
Laurie
Mr. Laurie Arron
Director of Advocacy, Egale Canada
416 928-1238
www.egale.ca
I support equal marriage for same-sex couples.
J'appuie le mariage égal pour les couples de même sexe.
Yeah, think about it. What kind of a country do we want to live in for the next four years plus??? One where the nation stays out of our bedrooms? One where we can get legal recognition of our relationships, or one where gays (ironically not straights!) are called sodomites and marginalized?
If homosexuality is a "behaviour", so is religion. Should we deny others benefits because we disagree with their religion? Maybe only Christians should be allowed to marry? After all, that is a chosen behaviour. And easier to change than who you are attracted to, or who you fall in love with.
Well, think carefully, ask questions, and remember to vote.
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previous meanderings - future past
Goodbye Michael. May your next life be kinder to you. - Thursday, Jun. 25, 2009
Taking Care of Your Cows - Thursday, Jun. 25, 2009
Saint Joseph robs the cradle and eats spaghetti - Sunday, Jun. 14, 2009
sticky notes and broken irises - Friday, Jun. 12, 2009
The FOODCOMMANDER - Monday, Jun. 08, 2009
