Unreal statement

A Calgary Herald editorial: In Uganda, it is against the law to be a homosexual. Indeed, the African country is actually considering making homosexual activity a crime punishable by death.

Few reasonable people can read of such a law and not be appalled. Canadians would want — or rather demand — that our public officials speak out through diplomatic channels against such abominable laws.

Which is why it is so disturbing that Gwendolyn Landolt, the national vice-president of REAL Women of Canada and a lawyer, no less, is criticizing Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird for opposing laws that target homosexuals.

“Just who does John Baird think he is?” Landolt asked in a statement.

“He argues that homosexual rights are a ‘Canadian value,’ but this applies only to himself and his fellow activists and the left-wing elitists.”

Really? That would be news to most Canadians. While many Canadians still endorse the traditional definition of marriage, most would not be in favour of laws that would allow a state to execute people because of their sexual orientation.

Indeed, international pressure has been credited with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni considering vetoing the AntiHomosexuality Bill should it reach his desk.

Baird revealed recently, that at the behest of the prime minister, he tried to stop Russia from passing a bill into law that would fine those who spread information about homosexuality to minors and that bans gay pride parades or rallies for 100 years.

In fewer than six months, Russia will host the Winter Olympics in Sochi and Russia’s sports minister said he would uphold this law against visitors and athletes attending the Games.

Landolt has discredited herself and the organization she speaks for. As someone who prides herself on sticking to objective standards of right and wrong and eschewing relativism, she appears to be asking Canadian officials to turn a blind eye to the murder of people who have committed no crime.