Voters largely reject ANTI-LGBTQ parties
Recent controversies for Liberals put some ridings in jeopardy, says professor
While it's important to ask about the impact of homophobic and ANTI-LGBTQ comments by candidates in an election poll, such questions are also being described as “somewhat symbolic” by an official for one of the province's leading LGBTQ organizations.
More critical are the policy changes made behind the scenes to support LGBTQ issues and communities, said Joel Harnest, manager of programs and community engagement for Qmunity.
Harnest was responding to the results of a question asked in a poll conducted for The Vancouver Sun that found 58 per cent of voters were less likely to support a party with candidates who made homophobic and ANTI-LGBTQ comments before the provincial election.
“While it's an important question to ask, it is somewhat symbolic,” Harnest said. “What happens below the surface? What happens beyond the statements of support or affirmation? What happens beyond political parties marching in Pride parades?”
Qmunity, based in Vancouver, describes itself as B.C.'S Queer, Trans, and Two- Spirit Resource Centre.
The Leger poll released earlier this week found that a whopping 58 per cent of respondents said they would be less likely to support a party after its candidates made such comments.
People were asked the question to gauge how voters have responded to recent controversies involving two Liberal candidates.
In Langley East, B.C. Liberal candidate Margaret Kunst has been criticized for voting against painting a rainbow crosswalk between the RCMP detachment and the school board offices. Chilliwack-kent candidate Laurie Throness, who has since resigned from the Liberals, has been criticized for defending conversion therapy.
Hamish Telford, a political science associate professor at the University of the Fraser Valley, said LGBTQ issues around the two Fraser Valley candidates, plus recent sexist comments by North Vancouver- Seymour Liberal candidate Jane Thornthwaite, have “definitely derailed” leader Andrew Wilkinson's campaign.
“I think it has put into jeopardy some of the ridings that Liberals hold,” he said.
Qmunity is holding Proud 2 Vote, a virtual provincewide town hall, on Oct. 20 from 7-8:30 p.m.
Overall, the Leger poll found that the NDP led by John Horgan have the support of 50 per cent of voting adults, the Liberals 35 per cent, and the B.C. Green party 12 per cent.