Chilliwack groups urge Liberals to drop Throness
Several Chilliwack and Tri-Cities organizations have written a letter to Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson calling for the removal of Chilliwack-Kent candidate Laurie Throness because of his support for so-called conversion therapy.
Wilkinson has stated several times during the campaign that “there is no room in the Liberal party for homophobia, transphobia, or any other form of discrimination.”
Conversion therapy is a controversial practice based on the idea it is possible to convert LGBTQ+ people to heterosexuals. The federal government is proposing a ban on the practice. The B.C. Liberals have supported that proposal.
Just two days ago, the Liberal leader defended Margaret Kunst, a Liberal candidate in Langley who, as a municipal councillor, voted against a rainbow crosswalk.
The groups taking aim at Throness include the board of the Chilliwack Pride Society, Tri-Cities Pride Society, the board of Chilliwack Citizens For Change, the Chilliwack Metis Association, and Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods.
“We have come together to write to you to express our disappointment with the space you continue to provide for homophobia and transphobia in your party,” the groups write.
At a news conference in Vancouver, Wilkinson was asked why the Liberals have permitted Throness to run again.
“These issues were dealt with very clearly earlier in the summer, and I've made it crystal clear along with all of our candidates, the B.C. Liberal party does not tolerate any forms of discrimination in British Columbia nor do the people of British Columbia. This is a society built on equality where everyone is entitled to respect and fairness,” he said.
He added that all of his candidates agree there is no room for discrimination.
“My family includes gay people and lesbian people. I love them. I treat them with the respect they deserve. They are human beings just like all the rest of us. And so when I hear the concerns about discrimination I make it crystal clear: In our British Columbia Liberal party and in this province as a whole, there is no room for discrimination,” said Wilkinson.
Throness did not return a request for comment.
In the letter, the Chilliwack groups say conversion therapy causes harm and trauma to LGBTQ+ children and youth, and that it is a dangerous practice with no basis in science. This summer, the Vancouver Pride Society threatened to ban the B.C. Liberal party from the virtual Pride Parade unless they took stronger action against advertising in a magazine it called homophobic.
Wilkinson said then that the party would ensure its advertising decisions reflect its anti-discrimination stance.
However, Throness told CTV News on July 3 that he would continue to advertise in the publication because it reflects his own values. He also defended an article in the magazine that raised concerns about a bill proposing a ban on conversion therapy.
In June 2018, Vancouver became the first Canadian city to ban conversion therapy.