Posted by Wayves Volunteer 29/10/2013
By Ted Flett, Chair, OUTLaw, University of New Brunswick
Homophobia hurts. It even kills. And despite the gains of Canada’s LGBTQ population and our allies, recent heartless acts in the Maritimes indicate our work is not done.
Last month’s story of the dismissal of Fredericton’s St Thomas University student Colin Briggs from the Crosspoint Wesleyan church because he is gay and the possibility that the recent grisly stabbing of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia resident Scott Jones was motivated by hate, should concern all Canadians. According to its annual reports, the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission regularly receives complaints of discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Equality of all Canadians regardless of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation and other grounds of discrimination is a value we hold dear. We should take collective offense when a fellow citizen discriminates against any group protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and New Brunswick Human Rights Code.
OUTLaw, the University of New Brunswick’s society for gay law students and allies, seeks to raise awareness of LGBTQ issues and affairs among communities locally and globally for the purpose of advancing rights, promoting acceptance and respect. OUTLaw condemns these homophobic acts which are urgent reminders that gay advocates and allies must be vigilant until we extinguish homophobia from every corner of Canada’s campuses and communities.
Ted Flett
Chair, OUTLaw, University of New Brunswick
