Doughnut gesture prompts cyber feeding frenzy
A box of iced doughnuts proclaiming “It’s OK to be Gay” that was sent to a local MLA’s office is creating a social media frenzy across the province.
The bakery’s owners however, say the message is simple and clear, and comes after the United Conservative Party voted at last weekend’s policy convention to reverse current rules about informing parents when students join school clubs, including gay-straight alliances.
That’s a controversial stance by the party that critics say could put young homosexuals at risk.
“I was just really disappointed,” said Brendan Hillson, who co-owns and operates McBride’s Bakery on Dunmore Road with his wife, Carole, who is a UCP party member.
“With so many things a government should be dealing with — health, education, pipelines, economic diversification — there’s a lot to talk about at a policy convention,” Hillson said.
“Regulating someone’s gayness shouldn’t be one of them.”
The couple sent the doughnuts Tuesday morning to the office of area MLA Drew Barnes, the UCP finance critic, and posted a picture on social media. It created a flurry on social media, including messages of both support and criticism, with some questioning the motivation, or even incorrectly assuming Barnes ordered the pastries as a peace offering to the gay community.
The Hillsons fielded calls Wednesday from several national media outlets.
Last weekend, 57 per cent of delegates at the party’s policy convention in Red Deer supported the motion that parental rights groups say gives them proper status in their children’s lives.
Advocates say such gaystraight groups offer support to vulnerable teens, and that informing parents without consent could put some teens in danger.
Party leader Jason Kenney said the motion is poorly worded and he wouldn’t campaign on it, but opponents say it reveals an extreme position on a social issue, and the lack of clarity is concerning.
Barnes said he’s happy to receive feedback.
“We are a big-tent party committed to representing the interest of all Albertans,” he told the News Wednesday. “I support the status quo that currently exists in Alberta, which upholds parental rights while ensuring all children are safe in our schools.”
Carole Hillson became a UCP member of the party to vote in its leadership contest last year, but says she hasn’t been active at the policy or constituency level.
She hopes “individual members will stand up and show some leadership” and make the party’s position clear.
“I hope that as it gets closer to the election, individual members will come together and walk the talk about being a big-tent party.
“If they don’t, that will also inform the voters’ decision-making process.”
The doughnuts, two dozen glazed rings with rainbow sprinkles and the statement, were delivered Tuesday morning to Barnes’ constituency office on Trans-Canada Way.
At that time, Barnes joined McBride’s social media message about the delivery, thanking them.
“The Alberta UCP is a diverse broad tent coalition with a variety of beliefs,” reads a message. “All are welcome regardless of who they love or how they worship. We will continue to represent all Albertans when we form government in 2019.”
Environment Minister Shannon Phillips, MLA for Lethbridge-West, suggested Barnes’s statement was disingenuous.
“Your party was hijacked by extremists on the weekend, due to the fact your leader encouraged them,” she wrote. “Now you’re offside (with) the majority of Albertans and your empty statements below don’t reflect to reality.”
Carole said the reaction directly on the bakery’s social media platforms has been very positive, but she has seen other discussions where reaction has been, at times, harsh.
“There are a lot of angry people out there,” she said. “It’s not such a big, controversial statement.”