“UCP Pride”. It’s kind of like LGBTQ2 Pride except for Conservatives who don’t want to actually attend Pride. The safe space for Calgary area Conservatives will likely be set up a few blocks away from Pride festivities, similar to the event held during Pride in Edmonton in June. And I should mention they aren’t calling their personal Pride event for Conservatives “UCP Pride”, I am.
Greg Southam/Postmedia
If only there was a political Party in Alberta where conservatives-in-name-only could throw their support for both fiscal and social responsibility without being outed as a socialist at Sunday dinner. If only UCP supporters didn’t have to righteously declare on every social media platform that they personally support LGBTQ rights while ignoring that they will happily vote for those who don’t.
Because it’s not about the people, it’s about being a Conservative and having a Conservative government even if it means some of those Conservatives might work to restrict the rights of others. And no, you don’t need to respond to me, or anyone else, about your many LGBTQ friends and how you support your fellow humans because you share a party with those who believe your fellow humans shouldn’t have rights. And no, you can’t have it both ways. Here’s why:
If your party is open and welcoming to those who believe, for religious or moral reasons, that LGBTQ humans and women shouldn’t have rights, then you are open and welcoming to it as well. Because you aren’t running for a nomination; but they are.
Meet Sandra Kim. Sandra is a nomination candidate for Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin and for either moral or religious reasons, she shared a post on Facebook condemning homosexuality and same sex marriage. She wasn’t thinking about running when she shared it, though, so “to anyone (who was/is) offended”, she apologizes. Thank you in advance for your continued support of any candidate with a blue sign.
Meet Joseph Schow. Joseph is the UCP candidate for Cardston-Siksika. Joseph opposes women’s reproductive choice. Joseph refers to an elected position as a “foot-in-the-door tactic” to changing legislation to suit his religious and/or moral views. Thank you in advance for your continued support of any candidate with a blue sign.
If you support a party that is welcoming to those who hold “different viewpoints” on human rights, you lend your support for those views.
Go to your LGBTQ friends (or look in a mirror) and say “I realize the party attracts a lot of support from people who think you’re/I’m/we’re an abomination but I am willing to risk any supports to you/me/us for a tax break.” Next, go to your sister, wife, girlfriend or daughter (or look in a mirror) and say “I hope you never have to make a choice about becoming a parent because I want a tax cut and that’s more important to me than your right to choose”. Seriously; be honest.
Above all, stop saying you don’t support that but you support something else because this is “UCP Pride”: there are members who support human rights and members who don’t. It’s a crap shoot as to whether the “right” Conservatives will get in.
“We could run 5 year-olds (under a UCP banner) and they would win in 90% of the ridings.” S. Todd Beasley, July 26, 2018
This article contains both fact and opinion. Links to supporting documentation provided.
Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
Content Director/Writer
Categories: Uncategorized
