Category Archives: Gay rights

Attn: Manitoba NDP, remember your roots!

Gay rights, Media, NDP, Politics

Why, when the NDP gets government, do they fail to achieve the socially progressive ideals of which their base supports?

The most successful government in Canada right now is arguably the Manitoba NDP led by Gary Doer. He has the only balanced budget in Canada and is largely popular in his province.

So why can’t his cabinet support funding for gender reassignment surgery?

It really puts you more in line with the Albertan tyrant Stelmach who recently began his quest to destroy public medicare by delisting GRS first.

So to the Manitoba NDP: Remember who supports you, so far you’ve failed to implement electoral reform (a major NDP plank nationally), and now you’re selling out the GLBT lobbies.

It’s frustrating how power seems to corrupt every party in our system (I can imagine the exact same things happening to you Green supporters too without change).

Edmonton to lose its Pride

Edmonton, Gay rights, Links, Media, Politics

According to the Edmonton Journal, the Edmonton Pride Centre has had it’s charitable status revoked by the federal government.

The centre says they only have a month or so of money left without charitable status and then they may be forced to close.

This is a terrible loss for the city, as a centre like this provides safety and information for Edmontonians, regardless of their sexual orientation.

But apparently the federal government didn’t like their predecessor the Gay and Lesbian Community Centre of Edmonton which closed in 2004 and spawned the Pride Centre.

Todd Babiak, who wrote the article, clearly has a soft spot for the place as the article blasts right-wing non-profits that continually appear partisan, including the Catholic Archdiocese of Calgary, The CD Howe Institute and Focus on the Family. He also gives us a personal look into the facility.

He does say that, “No one is suggesting that the Roman Catholic diocese of Calgary should lose its status as a registered charity.” And here I would have to disagree with you Todd. It should lose its status, along with all other churches, mosques, synagogues, and even atheist organizations. Only groups that are truly non-partisan and reach out to better the community (as their sole goal) deserve the government endorsement of issuing tax receipts.

Nevertheless, this is unfortunate news for the city, and here’s to hoping that something new can fill the void that this centre will leave.