What message does the Danielle Smith ‘straight pride’ photo send to Albertans? | 24CA News
A controversial photograph of Premier Danielle Smith posing with a person in a “Straight Pride” T-shirt on the Calgary Stampede this weekend is inflicting a stir.
Smith’s workplace launched a press release Monday saying: “The premier didn’t read his shirt and obviously doesn’t agree with its message.
“She has always been clear that she supports the LGBTQ+ community and will continue our work to make sure they feel safe in our province.”
The entrance of the person’s shirt reads: “Thank a straight person today for your existence” above the basic male/feminine stick figures — under: “Straight Pride.” The again of the shirt says “Good people disobey bad laws.”
It is “unconscionable” that the premier’s employees would let her take a photograph with somebody representing such views, mentioned Dr. Kristopher Wells, an affiliate professor at McEwan University.
“I think it’s very concerning, it’s disturbing,” mentioned the Canada Research chair for the general public understanding of sexual and gender minority youth. “What you’re seeing here is people trying to legitimate these views as though they were the dominant views in society.”
It sends the improper message to individuals, particularly youngsters within the queer group, he mentioned.
Wells is glad the premier denounced the sentiment and doesn’t help the message, however there was clearly a “staff breakdown” for somebody sporting a shirt like that to have the ability to get, not solely so near the premier, however to take a photograph together with her.
Political scientist Duane Bratt mentioned politicians are assembly numerous individuals throughout Stampede week and it’s doable to take photographs or be seen with some individuals they shouldn’t be with.
“It’s another thing,” he added, “when they’re advertising their views on their shirts.”
He questioned the place Smith’s handlers and staffers had been on the time.
“The premier’s got an entire group of people — someone should not have allowed that person to get so close to the premier,” he mentioned.
Pierre Poilievre was additionally seen on his outdated stomping grounds this weekend posing with the person. His workplace additionally launched a press release saying the nationwide Conservative Party chief didn’t learn the person’s shirt earlier than the photograph and the shirt’s sentiment shouldn’t be one he helps.
Bratt mentioned that although Smith has been supportive of homosexual rights previously — one thing that has precipitated points with the outdated Wildrose Party — it’s unclear how the trans concern is enjoying out.
“I think she does need an explanation,” he mentioned. “If you were a member of the trans community — which is already feeling ostracized, which is already feeling demonized — how safe do you feel right now? If you’re the premier of all Albertans, does that include sexual minorities?”
Some individuals may even see this as a difficulty with a “silly” T-shirt, mentioned Bratt, however he provides it’s what that T-shirt represents.
“Do her staffers support that or don’t they?
“As an experienced politician, that’s something she should have known and the people around her should have known.”
“I think it speaks to the times we’re in and where people will look at any opportunity to share this kind of hateful narrative and feel that that’s OK and that’s appropriate — even to be wearing something like that in the public, never mind trying to pose beside the premier or other leading figures in our society,” mentioned Wells.
The cause for rainbow flags, crosswalks and the like, he mentioned, is “to signal our values that we want to be an inclusive community but unfortunately (are) not there yet.”
“When we are there, there’s not going to be the need for these signs of visible support.”
The Alberta NDP’s anti-racism, variety and LGBTQ2S+ critic, Lizette Tejada, known as on Smith to make a “real” apology and rise up for the queer group.
“In this one action, she is allowing use of the Premier’s Office to promote hate. To make matters worse, she refuses to take responsibility for her own views, past statements and visible symbols of hate,” reads Tejada’s assertion.
“It’s impossible to believe that neither she nor anyone in her staff read the T-shirt worn by her supporter. Danielle Smith clearly had no problem with the hateful message she posed with.”
— With a file from The Canadian Press
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