A picture from the Calgary Stampede circulating on social media of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is being labelled as "controversial.".In the picture, Smith stands with a man who is wearing a shirt that says "Thank a straight person today for your existence.".The green shirt then pictures a symbol of a man and woman holding hands and said "Straight Pride.".A second picture was shared on social media of the back of the shirt which read," Good people disobey bad laws."."The premier didn't read his shirt and obviously doesn't agree with its message," press secretary Sam Blackett from the Premier's Office told the Western Standard on Monday.."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.".Straight Pride started trending on Monday on Twitter..Users shared mixed opinions.."I'm gay and have no issue with this at all. I'm more offended by your use of the slur: queer which tells me you are likely a radical socialist. You are a danger to western culture, especially to those of the original gay movement. Spreading hate was never our mission," one user tweeted.."This! Straight Pride is the equivalent of a kid who always gets attention going 'look at me! Look at me!' when someone else who never gets the spotlight has it on them. Be thankful you are represented every day," another user tweeted..Others defended claims that the shirt was "homophobic."."How exactly is Straight Pride homophobic? Nowhere does the shirt say anything about homosexuality. No, where," tweeted a user.."We need straight pride month.".On Monday evening, the Alberta NDP Critic for Anti-Racism, Diversity and 2SLGBTQ+ Issues Lizette Tejada made a statement in response to Smith's claim that she hadn’t read the "hateful message" worn by a supporter she posed for a photo with recently.."Danielle Smith has a long history of amplifying messages of hate and intolerance followed by recanting or feigning ignorance. We are seeing an alarming rise in hate-motivated assaults across Canada. Smith’s tacit approval of these messages emboldens those who commit violence," the statement read.."In this one action - she is allowing the 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.".The Alberta NDP then claimed, "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," the Alberta NDP stated..“I call on Danielle Smith to offer a real apology to the 2SLGBTQ+ community and a commitment to defend those in the community against the attacks they are facing.”
