Medicine Hat Pride leader says community becoming more open, despite opposition

“People being concerned about us, saying we needed to read a Bible and things like that. It’s become more accepted in the community, compared to what it used to be, so we’ve come a long way in six years. You still get that in schools, a lot of bullying, degrading, and discrimination. It’s mostly in schools though.”

However, Joa did state she was surprised nothing had happened yet, and shared an anecdote about her sister and her partner being attacked while out in the community at a local bar.

“My sister got beat up outside of a bar twice, because she was with her wife, and they were holding hands and kissing on the dance floor,” said Joa.

“That really bothers me, a lot, but as far as it goes, what we can do is just spread the word, give more education.”

Joa also indicated there had never been a similar incident to what occurred recently in Taber or Lethbridge, and said what had taken place in those communities was “extremely wrong”.

“Everybody has a voice, and everybody has a freedom of speech, and a freedom of will,” said Joa.

“If you don’t like it, turn your head the other way, or seek some education about it. Most people are really iffy. If they’re not getting the facts about something, or they don’t understand something, they’re scared of it. And if they’re scared of it, they’re going to rebel against it.”

She also said Pride had the full support of the municipal government when it came to flying the Pride flag in Medicine Hat.

“Our flag hangs on City Hall, every time we have Pride,” said Joa.

“They fully support us, our mayor is fantastic, he’s great. He’s probably the best mayor we’ve had, as far as support goes, and understanding.”

Despite the support of the municipal government and rising community acceptance in Medicine Hat, Joa had concerns about CPOSD76.

The group has been challenging the public school board for the last two years, arguing for more parental input on policies mandated by the province.

They have sought to accomplish this by filing multiple petitions to the schoolboard, the first of which was dismissed by both the board, and the Court of Queens Bench in Medicine Hat after an unsuccessful appeal of it’s dismissal.

The group has also focused on the question of whether or not school administrators should disclose when children join gay-straight alliances at school.

Joa disagreed with the group.

“They’re not helping at all,” said Joa.

“We as the Board are here to to support, and in any way help anybody we can in Medicine Hat as diversity goes, and fighting for the rights of them, whether it’s five years old, or 67 years old, or 80 years old. That’s our job. It’s not fair for parents to think that a child does not have a say in when (they) do or do not come out to their parents.”

Joa said that Medicine Hat Pride has had to help local youth who have had a poor reception by their families after coming out.

“It’s really sad,” said Joa.

“We’ve had to deal with several children, who have had that problem, so I could see why kids would be afraid to tell their parents.”

Joa also expressed disappointment in politicians who supported schools notifying parents when their children join GSA’s.

“As far as that goes, I would say, it’s going to be tougher for kids to be who they are, accept who they are, and love who they are,” said Joa.

“With the politicians gathering together, and saying this is wrong, they are entitled to their opinion, but they need to understand the opinion of kids, they need to hear their stories, their life stories, which I think might change their minds.”

When Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes was told of Joa’s view, Barnes said he thought the issue was a question of “personal freedom”.

“In the Wildrose, individually, I absolutely support professional freedom, I support all groups that come together, in a legal way of course, to support each other and to build on each other,” said Barnes.

As for the question of whether or not parents should be notified when their children join GSA’s, Barnes cited his party’s support of Bill 10.

“The law is clear,” said Barnes.

“I think that it’s important though, for us, to make sure that local decision making has a stronger impact, that education choice is supported, and that parents and communities are involved in their child’s education.”

Barnes indicated that he hoped he was making members of the LGBTQ community feel welcome in Medicine Hat.

“I’m a 100 per cent supporter of freedom of expression, of freedom, personal freedom, is the keyword,” said Barnes.

“I believe in a strong Alberta, as Wildrose members do, an Alberta that is there for all Albertans. Let’s work on making sure people have the opportunity to find the life they want in communities and in families. That’s important to Albertans and important to me.”

Attempts to reach Jeremy Williamson, who has spoken for CPOSD76 in the past, were unsuccessful.

by James Wood

Medicine Hat Pride leader says community becoming more open, despite opposition

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