[Image source. Click image to open in new window.]
SOURCE: PressProgress.ca, 2020-09-09
This page last modified: 2020-09-09 14:34:59 -0700 (PST)
Federal Conservative Party Leader Erin O'Toole's newly-appointed critic for Diversity, Inclusion and Youth -- Steveston-Richmond MP Kenny Chiu -- appears to have a history of anti-LGBTQ comments and organizational ties.
[Wikipedia] Erin O'Toole: Social issues. "... Erin O'Toole supports same-sex marriage and has pledged to walk in Pride Parades as long as uniformed police officers could as well. His 2020 leadership platform included an end to the ban preventing gay men from donating blood. ..."
While in power in the early 2010s then Prime Minister / Conservative Party leader / transphobe Stephen Harper and his minions defeated proposed transgender-affirming and protecting legislation, attacking it under the long-discounted "transgender bathroom predators" meme. While nearly all of the Conservative Party members voted against that gender-affirming legislation, a notable exception was Erin O'Toole. O'Toole later [2020-08-23] won the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada.
The Conservative MP made headlines [local copy (html)] during the 2015 federal election after he was linked to online forum posts complaining, among other things, that:
"Today in Canada, simply disagreeing to the claim that homosexuality is normal can result in crucifixion."
In that same 2003 post -- defending former Tory deputy leader Elsie Wayne, who said Canadians shouldn't accept Pride parades and same-sex marriage -- Kenny Chiu wrote:
"Sadly, Canada has 'evolved' into an all-tolerant; all accepting; fully embracing liberal country."
The Conservative MP told local media in 2015 the string of comments "does not represent my views."
Kenny Chiu also previously sat on the board of Columbia Bible College, which mandated students avoid "pornography, harassment, premarital sex, adultery and homosexual activity."
And, in 2018, the MP shared a stage with failed People's Party candidate and former 700 Club cohost Laura Lynn Tyler Thompson at a meeting featuring criticism of SOGI 123, a BC education initiative designed to counter anti-LGBTQ bullying.
Kenny Chiu reportedly said residents were not given sufficient space to respond to the policy. "Not everyone's opinion has been considered," he said, "It will split the community and could hurt the students it's meant to protect."
Kenny Chiu told Richmond News: "I was invited to share my experiences as a former school trustee and how the (school) board would implement policies, such as SOGI. I didn't mention to anyone about (whether or not I supported SOGI)."
Asked about Kenny Chiu's previous controversies, both O'Toole and Chiu's offices sent identical statements reading: "Mr. Chiu is proud to be part of a welcoming, diverse party that respects the rights of all Canadians, including members of the LGBTQ community."
-- Charmaine de Silva (@char_des) September 8, 2020
Last month [2020-08], PressProgress reported O'Toole largely owed his leadership victory to socially conservative party members who ranked O'Toole as their second or third choice for leader.
Kenny Chiu was an early supporter of O'Toole's leadership bid, endorsing his campaign in March 2020.
Return to Persagen.com