The Canadian Press
WINNIPEG—Controversy over gay and lesbian rights flared up on two fronts yesterday in a conservative-leaning rural area of southeastern Manitoba sometimes referred to as the province’s “Bible Belt.”
The region’s Conservative MP said he would not attend a Pride march because of his personal beliefs while two women filed a human rights complaint over the lack of same-sex education in local classrooms.
Ted Falk initially declined an invitation to attend the July 9 parade in Steinbach, about 60 km southeast of Winnipeg, because he already had committed to a community frog-jumping competition called the “Frog Follies.”
Event organizer Marie-Christine Bruce took to social media on the weekend to urge Falk to opt for the Pride event.
“We’re very proud of our festival, but we do not expect to take precedence over an important human rights event,” she posted.
That prompted Falk to issue a written statement yesterday to clarify that he wouldn’t attend the parade even if his schedule was wide open.
“Even without a scheduling conflict, my decision to not attend would be the same,” it read.
“I’ve been clear on this issue many times, and have made my position public on my values of faith, family, and community.
“Just as I respect the right of people to participate in this event, I am hopeful the event organizers will be respectful of my choice, and the choice of many others, not to participate,” it added.
Bruce said she expected such a reaction.
“The politicians in that area . . . are not supportive of this issue so I am in no way surprised,” she noted.
One of the organizer’s of Steinbach’s first Pride parade, Michelle McHale, and her partner, Karen Phillips, also are alleging one of their children was bullied at a school in the Hanover School Division because the two are a same-sex couple.
The couple’s complaint, filed with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, alleges when McHale went to the principal with their concerns, she was told a division policy forbids any discussion of same-sex relationships until students reach high school.
Refusing to acknowledge gender diversity and promote tolerance in younger grades “creates this culture of exclusion and stigmatization that can really lead to an unsafe environment for students,” said the women’s lawyer, Allison Fenske.
