By James Wood

Barnes to make first address at Medicine Hat Pride

Sep 1, 2017 | 11:06 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB- United Conservative Party MLA Drew Barnes will make his first appearance at Medicine Hat Pride this September.

According to Rosie Joa, the president of the local Pride chapter, the appearance came together after she ran into Barnes at her grandmother’s 90th birthday party.

Joa spoke with Barnes at the party, and indicated the conversation was a learning experience for Barnes on a range of issues impacting the LGBTQ community.

Joa also indicated that they touched on the question of parental notification for gay-straight alliances (GSA’s) in Alberta public schools, which has been a controversial topic in the Gas City.

A local group known as the Concerned Parents of School District 76 have been advocating for parents to be notified when their children join GSA’s, and the idea has also been put forward by UCP leadership candidate Jason Kenney, who has been endorsed by Barnes.

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“I think he came around to see that it’s not exactly the way they see it (CPSD76) and with education, they can understand how dangerous it is to tell parents their child is GLBTQ,” said Joa.

“When their child is ready, they’re ready.”

During the conversation, Joa said she invited Barnes to the Pride events in September. The following week, Joa received a phone call from Barnes’ office, asking for the Pride schedule. Barnes would be attending, and he wanted to make a speech.

“I’m thrilled, actually,” said Joa.

“I’m proud of him, to be so bold.”

As for the response from Medicine Hat Pride’s board, Joa said they were initially upset.

“They were a little upset about it, for the fact that it was, I think it was a shock to them,” said Joa.

“Not only a shock, it was ‘he doesn’t like us, so why would we invite somebody that doesn’t like us?’ But in all reality, it’s about love and uniformity, and education, and bringing everybody together, regardless of what their gender is, or their belief, or their religious belief, or anything. They came around after a while.”

Both the board and Joa are now excited and looking forward to Barnes attending the events.

Barnes told CHAT News he was excited for the opportunity to address Pride.

“I’m grateful that I have the chance to talk to them, and I’m grateful I got to know Rosie better,” said Barnes.

Barnes also said he’s been talking to every Albertan who wants to discuss parental notification around GSA’s.

“I’m talking to school groups, and school teachers, I’m talking to United Conservative Party members, and I’m looking forward to being back in session, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to keep hearing about what’s important to Albertans,” said Barnes.

He additionally confirmed the 2017 appearance will be his first at Medicine Hat Pride.

“This is probably the first time it fits into my schedule,” said Barnes.

“Secondly, the new United Conservative Party, we’ve gone an extra distance to make sure that all Albertans understand we’re here to respect and honour people’s personal freedom. One of the misconceptions about the Wildrose Party in the past was that we weren’t inclusive, and we weren’t here for all Albertans, and we so are.”

Barnes indicated he wasn’t concerned about any negative community reaction to making a speech at Pride, and expects to get a positive one.

As for the future, he indicated he would want to make an appearance each year if possible.

“If it fits in, if it’s not in an election campaign or something like that, I’m ok with the opportunity to talk to Albertans when I have the opportunity to do that.”

Pride events in Medicine Hat kick off September 8, and finish off on the 16th with Pride in the Park at Riverside Memorial Park from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Barnes will be speaking at Pride in the Park at 11:45 a.m.