No place for hurtful comments
Again and again, we are subjected to hateful rhetoric from certain politicians around the globe, and the most recent comments come from Alberta’s United Conservative Party member, John Carpay.
The party was formed when the Wildrose and the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta joined forces in a move to solidify the right-wing movement. Well known for religious right-wing policies, its leader, Jason Kenney, has on numerous occasions made his views known on LGBTQ+ rights and equal treatment.
They have not been favourable and indeed have hurt LGBTQ+ youngsters in the Alberta school system where Kenney made it known that parents should be informed by school officials that their child is a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
This invasion of privacy is not acceptable and goes against the wishes of the child. Of course, this provincial party leader of the official opposition, has a history of statements that indicates his disdain for this community.
The person in question, Mr. Carpay, also president of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedom, has compared the Pride flag to the Nazi swastika, and the Communist hammer and sickle. The LGBTQ+ community is outraged by these comments from Carpay, who also challenges the gay-straight alliance bill. He apologized and said his remark was “unintentional,” and Kenney refers to the comment as a mistake.
We are constantly bombarded with offensive remarks by politicians and others, who later seem to think that an apology will fix the matter. Not so, as we learn throughout our lives that hateful remarks are just that and are results of what we are taught in life.
Mr. Carpay has made it very clear where he stands on LGBTQ+ issues and an apology does not end this, and indeed will not be erased from his mind as it is instilled in him that sexual orientation and true gender identity are not to be part of humanity. The words, therefore, are meaningless, unless he voices that he accepts and supports the LGBTQ+ members of our society.
Someone who says that the gay rights movement is an example of totalitarianism does not intend to change his views but instead attempts to save his political future through apologies. Once comments of this nature are vocalized, the person, or persons involved, have put their thoughts into words.
Pope Francis has apologized for the Vatican’s treatment of the LGBTQ+ citizens of the world, and those within the Christian community. Words cannot be taken seriously until put into action. Then change is possible and only then may we take those who respond so negatively with hate as possible supporters who embrace all.
Statistics have made it abundantly clear that discrimination and violence against minorities is on the rise everywhere. We are obliged to respond with positive education in our schools, in our homes, in the workplace, on the street, and yes within the religious community. Then, and only then, will we experience change, be it slow and time consuming, but attainable.
It may take decades and indeed centuries, but with positive attitudes and determination, success may be ours, that is, on the side of love and respect. In a world with 7.6 billion people the task is arduous. The choice we must make is to just sit back and be totally destroyed by the negativity, or we stand with pride and determination to end the hatred that befalls so many around us. The right-wing factions are totally determined to rid our planet of ‘undesirables’ in some sort of order.
The LGBTQ+ enemies such as, Donald Trump, Christian rightwing advocates, Jason Kenney, John Carpay and countless others must come to terms with the fact that LGBTQ+ folks and so many others have roamed this globe for countless centuries, and all are part of the world community.