Homophobia is Alive and Well in Vancouver

Last week a drunk man entered MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert’s office, ranting about the “faggot flags” (read: rainbow) flying at the West End Community Centre. He became increasingly aggravated and proceeded to punch a hole in the wall. Then he punched Herbert’s constituency assistant in the face. Homophobia is alive and well, even in progressive cities like Vancouver. Unfortunately, it feels like the more legal equalities that LGBTQ folks are afforded, the more backlash that takes place, especially in regions that are still fighting for basic human rights. It strikes me that the pendulum is swinging hard between hate and love, and moving powerfully in both directions. Just this past week we had oppressive legislation in Arizona that sought to allow business owners to refuse to serve lesbians and gays, on the basis of their religious beliefs. Thankfully it was vetoed by the Governor, but there is no doubt that this, and other pieces of regressive legislation, come as an increasing number of conservative states struggle with ways to challenge the growing legality of gay marriage. Which is to say nothing of what’s happening in Uganda. At the same time that Arizona was moving backwards, Uganda's president Yoweri Museveni signed into law a bill that imposes life sentences for acts of "aggravated homosexuality." The bill strengthens already strict legislation outlawing homosexual acts in the country and criminalises the promotion of homosexuality. The day after the bill was signed, a local paper published a list of the top 200 homosexuals in the country, threatening their lives by doing so. These are dangerous times we live in. Things are getting better, but in many places they’re also getting worse. As a queer Canadian, I will to continue to raise my voice and demand full legal and lived equality for all of the beautiful members of our queer family, be they in Kampala… or, in the West End of Vancouver. Warmly, Dara