The Gay Press Goes Beserk

Capital Xtra, the gay newspaper in Ottawa, has gone over the top in its latest issue - the Cover proclaims a "Holy War on Homos."

Gareth Kirkby tell us to "hold on tight' as we prepare for Stephen Harper's Ottawa. But, let's have a closer look at his worries.

First, there's the matter of Harper himself. This is a guy who grew up in Toronto, but chose to live in Alberta, a politico who felt more comfortable in the Reform Party than with the Progressive Conservatives. A man who, as Paul Martin noted in the second English-language debate, made a speech to hardcore rightwingers in the US, telling them Canada has something to learn from them. A Canadian party leader who wanted us to fight beside the US in Iraq. His personal choices speak volumes.

This has nothing to do with gay people. I think Harper is right - we do have a lot to learn from some right wingers in the US. And yes, I support democracy in Iraq and I think Canada should be there supporting democracy.

Second, there's the slate of far-right candidates running under Harper. In a special report for Xtra.ca, contributor Tom Sandborn took a look at a group of BC Conservative candidates, in winnable ridings, with ties to US-based lobby group Focus On The Family or with strong views on First Nations and other minority rights.

Yes, there's no doubt some social conservative candidates amongst the Conservatives. But, there's also lots of social conservatives amongst the Liberals. Social conservatives are as deserving to sit in Parliament as any other people.

And if they get power, what can we expect from these very focussed Conservatives? One Conservative candidate, commenting on CPAC channel in early January said the most pressing issues facing the country were to increase the age of sexual consent to 18, repeal same-sex marriage legislation, change the laws to reverse last December's Supreme Court of Canada decision legalizing swinger's clubs and gay bathhouses, and increase the penalty for bestiality to 10 years.

Ok, Let's look at each oneof these. Increasing the age of consent to 16 is OK, no? It certainly doesn't discriminate against gay people. Surely, this is a tolerable position to have. As for changing the laws to reverse last December's Supreme Court decision, I really doubt he could do that...and I doubt that's the kind of debate he wants to get into. Increasing the penalty for bestiality...well...that doesn't bother me, quite franky. The only issue I have is on gay marriage, and I have blogged about that many times.

I don't think that Harper has the votes to repeal gay marriage, and he has already stated that he won't use the notwithstanding clause. He also supports civil unions for gay people. So, not much is going to change for gay people - no matter how the vote goes.

But, Kirky goes right into policies that have nothing to do with gay people - it's as if any conservative policy is an attack. Look at his check list:

At that same policy convention, delegates endorsed a radical set of rightwing policies, including:

* Reaffirming use of the Constitution's notwithstanding clause to overturn court decisions they disagree with;
* Raising the age of sexual consent to 16 from 14;
* Eliminating all defences against child porn, something that would radically curtail freedom of speech and art and probably ultimately require the use of the notwithstanding clause;
* Politicizing the appointment of Supreme Court Of Canada judicial appointments;
* Increasing private sector health care;
* Opposing universal child-care, transferring fiscal spending power to the provinces, curtailing the role of the federal government in social policy;
* "Three strikes and you're out" criminal sentencing;
* Negotiating with the US for a missile-defence agreement;
* Taking Canada out of the Kyoto accord on global warning;
* A massive increase in defence spending; and
* Adding property rights to the Constitution, a move that would forever undermine the ability of government to protect the environment and make social policy.

To most of the above..all I can say, is YEAH, BABY! You might disagree with Harper's policies - that is your right - but please don't call them homophobic when they are just sound conservative positions.