Mastodawn

I'm pretty disappointed the NDP voted against this. Most of the hate and abuse I've received for being LGBTQ has been from people citing their religion.

People should not be able to hide behind religious exemptions to commit hate crimes. They also should not be able to hide behind their religion to discriminate against LGBTQ people.

I'm tired of 'religious freedom' being used as an excuse to harm, torment and hurt LGBTQ people.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bill-c-9-anti-hate-religious-exemption-hate-speech-9.7142455

Contentious anti-hate legislation passes final vote in the House, now moves to Senate | CBC News

The Liberal government's politically contentious new anti-hate bill has passed its final hurdle in the House of Commons and will now go to the Senate.

CBC

The Alchemist 1d ago

Maybe I am missing something. The NDP has supported the LGBTQ community and our rights for a long time, long before the Liberals. They were really responsive and helpful. They even had an MP focused on LGBTQ issues who was halfway across the country, but helped me and was responsive.
That kind of care and thoughtfulness and willingness is needed not only in our society, but to help the NDP rebound.
They are starting to burn years of good work to the ground.

RantingCanuck 1d ago

@alchemistsstudio

My understanding of Bill C-9 was that while it removes the religious exemption from hate speech laws (and the bloc pushing for that change is a good thing) it also makes it illegal to protest events held at religious institutions.

For example: Event's have been held at synagogue's in Toronto that sell (or at least encourage the purchasing) of land in Palestine, and those events have been meet with protests.

Bill C-9 would ban those protests and thus provides cover to events that promote hate (as long as it doesn't cross the line into illegal hate speech) as long as they are held at a religious institutions.

The Alchemist 1d ago

Thanks for the information. I wonder if the NDP would support the right of religious groups to protest LGBTQ venues?

I deplore religions crossing into politics and thus those synagogues enabling genocide. Maybe one day they will pass a law against that or at least remove tax exemptions for religions/sects that do that.

The Alchemist 1d ago

Hopefully the NDP will also take a stand against events/services at religious institutions that preach hate and against LGBTQ rights.

Hopefully this legislation will be expanded to also protect LGBTQ organizations and districts from religious protestors.

LGBTQ people deserve equal treatment. Maybe someday.

RantingCanuck 1d ago

@alchemistsstudio

Technically the legislation does protect LGBTQ+ venues from religious protesters, and I 100% support that (although I question if it will actually be enforced given our nation's poor history protecting the LGBTQ+ community but that is a different issue)... I just wish the legislation didn't give cover to religious institutions because they should be subject to protest for their actions. Hate groups (anti-LGBTQ+, white supremacists, etc) have historically used churches as cover for their activities and while they won't be able to claim a religious exemption for their speech now, they are better shielded from protest.

A good bill would have removed the religious exemption and prohibited hate motivated protests of any venue used by an identifiable group while specifically exempting protests motivated by opposition to hateful practices.

The Alchemist 1d ago

@RantingCanuck I agree with you. Unfortunately progress is always slow and very incremental in regards to LGBTQ/human rights. Hopefully one day religion will no longer allowed to be a shield for hate, discrimination and violence. Thanks for sharing more information with me.

The Alchemist 1d ago

Also interesting to note that both Heather McPherson and Rob Ashton could not be bothered to respond to Xtra magazine's questions on where they stood on LGBTQ rights. That was also not something I expected from NDP candidates.

❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️1d ago

@alchemistsstudio

Looking across the border and then reading the government's decisions like this leave me feeling more than anxious--I'm terrified we are becoming a WCN nation

The Alchemist 1d ago

@SnowyCA It's the Liberals who removed the religious exemptions for hate crimes at the BQs request and the NDP who voted against it. It was surprising to me, given the NDP was a longstanding supporter of LGBTQ rights.
I hope we never go back to being a WCN, because that was a horrible way to grow up.

❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️1d ago

@alchemistsstudio
yes, I know who removed it and that truly makes my blood boil!
As far as Canada becoming a WCN again, not going to happen without a fight.

The Alchemist 1d ago

@SnowyCA Agreed! I dont think we will go back in that direction, but if we do it wont be without opposition.

❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️1d ago

@alchemistsstudio

"... dont think we will go back in that direction, but if we do it won't be without opposition."

Trusting in the "fair-minded" electorate US citizens thought the same, and they now the most vile disgusting violent threat-to-every- being -on-Earth dictator that ever lived, sitting in the WHITE House, so I think we need to be vigilant.
Also, when it comes to premiers and feds removing certain established rights I'm not seeing enough, in some cases zero, pushback from our citizens...
that is terrifying.
More Canadians need to pay attention to internal politics, grow a backbone, and turn off the tv, then hit the streets.

Let me add:
It makes me feel sad that you grew up with that hate..no one deserves it. 🫂

For reasons unstated, I grew up experiencing it as well and that's why I am so passionate about fighting back.

The Alchemist 1d ago

@SnowyCA I'm sorry you went through growing up with that kind of hate too, whatever the reason.
I encourage all LGBTQ people to have a plan in case the tide turns. I actually don't discount the possibility I could lose my human rights and protections on a whim. That's the reality of being LGBTQ today.

❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️1d ago

@alchemistsstudio
😔 Wise advice

Hamish Buchanan 1d ago

The NDP doesn't seem to know who they are right now. Hopefully the new leader will clarify that, one way or another.

@alchemistsstudio @SnowyCA

The Alchemist 1d ago

@hamishb @SnowyCA

It's a real shame. They are alienating long term supporters.

❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️1d ago

@alchemistsstudio @hamishb
NDP and Liberals!

Hamish Buchanan 1d ago

The Libs have certainly forgotten who they were. It's all Carney's party now. Sadly.

@SnowyCA @alchemistsstudio

❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️1d ago

@hamishb @alchemistsstudio
yup, and they forget who helped get them there!

The Alchemist 1d ago

@SnowyCA @hamishb yes!!! PP also being partly responsible because he's so unlikable and awful. Was happy to see the Cons at 27% in a recent poll.

❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️1d ago

@alchemistsstudio @hamishb
Indeed. ugh, I want him to slither back under a rock.

The Alchemist 1d ago

@SnowyCA @hamishb He's awful. His dad is gay and he has a consistent record of voting against LGBTQ rights and pretends he cares about family values.

❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️1d ago

@alchemistsstudio @hamishb

Poilieve's handlers can revise his image as often as they please but it won't change his inner being.
You can slap layer upon layer of paint on an old barn but soon the wood rot will show through again.

The Alchemist 1d ago

@hamishb @SnowyCA

It is sad to see them move away from progressive priorities. At least Carney's government has the courage to introduce legislation to protect LGBTQ people from religious hate and remove the religious exemption to hate speech.
The NDP voted against it with PP and the conservatives and no longer have a 2SLGBTQ affairs critic.

Monica Rooney 1d ago

@alchemistsstudio @hamishb @SnowyCA I was going to vote NDP next time because I’m mad at the Liberals but I can’t vote for this. If I’m a single issue voter then it is this particular issue.

Deborah Preuss, pcc 🇨🇦1d ago

@monicarooney @alchemistsstudio @hamishb @SnowyCA I'm so confused 😥

The Alchemist 1d ago

@deborahh @monicarooney @hamishb @SnowyCA

I was too when I saw the NDP voted against eliminating the religious exemption to hate speech.

Deborah Preuss, pcc 🇨🇦1d ago

@alchemistsstudio @monicarooney @hamishb @SnowyCA I get twisted up in all the double and triple negatives of this bill and its amendments. (I'm dyslexic.)
I've noted it, to read slowly at some point. 😥

And, for the first time, I've looked up "who are my senators", since it now needs to be studied and passed by them.

The Alchemist 1d ago

@monicarooney @hamishb @SnowyCA

This is me too @monicarooney

I have to vote for who will best protect our family and stand for LGBTQ rights. I imagine that's the same for you.

@hamishb @SnowyCA @alchemistsstudio The Libs are who they always were.

The Alchemist 1d ago

@driusan @SnowyCA @hamishb

Not in terms of LGBTQ rights. They used to let MPs vote against our rights as a matter of conscience. Now you must support LGBTQ rights to run as a federal MP and vote accordingly. This is s big deal if you are LGBTQ and remember how it was before.

Clinton Anderson SwordForHire 1d ago

@alchemistsstudio

Ol' Christopher Hitchens is still right

#ReligionPoisonsEverything