Conservatism is at a crossroads in Canada. The values we identify as being conservative are not the values that the majority of Canadians identify us with. Until this is rectified, our movement will have continued electoral defeats. We see our parties (CPC, UCP) as the one for individual rights; others see us at the party fighting Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs). .This was apparent in October. The Conservative Party of Canada lost the 905, every major non-Prairie city, and we lost seats in rural Quebec. We have reached the peak of what Reform could ever have done. Congrats everyone from 1993, but now what do we do in 2020 onwards? .Well, making inroads to the LGBTQ2+ is one. Until we do, and the community knows that we understand their issues, and works towards solving them, then we will remain in the backbenches with this large and politically motivated group. This is not an overnight change. It took years to make inroads with new Canadians under our then federal Immigration Minster Jason Kenney, and this is no less of a struggle. .As a gay man living in downtown Calgary, and having been a part of the PC Party (now UCP) and worked in Ottawa as a Conservative staffer, I have seen over the last 15 years what has changed for the better, and what still needs to done. More still can be done, and we can be a part of that progress..The blood donation ban is still in place; members of the trans community still face discrimination; a disproportionate number of homeless youth are LGBTQ2+ who had to flee their home, or were kicked out; which in some part is a result of the barbaric practice of conversion therapy that still occurs in Canada. These issues need to be addressed, and our party can show leadership by taking them on. .Even after winning a large majority, the Liberals in Ottawa have done nothing. Everything I wrote above still occurs. Let us show the LGBTQ2+ community that we value them, and will fight for their equality as we do with the same passion for every other individual rights and freedoms..Bridges are built by handshakes, and for many of us in the community a gin and soda also. Pride is just one time of the year, but it does not stop after the parade ends. There are countless community events to attend throughout the year, and even more groups that do amazing work, but lack stable funding sources. .Conservative politicians regularly attend hundreds of ethnic community events and hand out grants to support them every year. But no UCP MLAs showed up this year to the Calgary Pride Parade, or to the beer gardens. .Only our newly elected Calgary Centre Conservative MP did. For an event brings in 100,000 people on a single day, the lack of representation from conservative ranks was noticed. If conservatives do not show up, the politicians on the left will, and they carry the narrative that we do not care and that only they have their back, an argument that has some merit. If we are to make inroads, showing up is the first step. . Trudeau on WE scandal: Case closed .Finally, there are many gay conservatives, but it is not an easy thing to say you voted conservative in the LGBTQ2+ community, when many believe our party to be a direct threat to their values, and rights. Many friends have whispered in my ear that they voted for conservative, but we need to better, and faster. If we make inroads, and start moving on the issues that matter to the LGBTQ2+ community listed above, then instead of whispering to me they can say it louder, and the ballot box will start to change in our favour in ridings where 100 votes does make the difference. .Actions matter, and our conservative family, on all levels of government needs to be better. Until we make the first steps and in a meaningful way, the results of Octobers federal election will be a frustrating, and common occurrence..Dustin Franks is a longtime Conservative organizer and political staffer
Conservatism is at a crossroads in Canada. The values we identify as being conservative are not the values that the majority of Canadians identify us with. Until this is rectified, our movement will have continued electoral defeats. We see our parties (CPC, UCP) as the one for individual rights; others see us at the party fighting Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs). .This was apparent in October. The Conservative Party of Canada lost the 905, every major non-Prairie city, and we lost seats in rural Quebec. We have reached the peak of what Reform could ever have done. Congrats everyone from 1993, but now what do we do in 2020 onwards? .Well, making inroads to the LGBTQ2+ is one. Until we do, and the community knows that we understand their issues, and works towards solving them, then we will remain in the backbenches with this large and politically motivated group. This is not an overnight change. It took years to make inroads with new Canadians under our then federal Immigration Minster Jason Kenney, and this is no less of a struggle. .As a gay man living in downtown Calgary, and having been a part of the PC Party (now UCP) and worked in Ottawa as a Conservative staffer, I have seen over the last 15 years what has changed for the better, and what still needs to done. More still can be done, and we can be a part of that progress..The blood donation ban is still in place; members of the trans community still face discrimination; a disproportionate number of homeless youth are LGBTQ2+ who had to flee their home, or were kicked out; which in some part is a result of the barbaric practice of conversion therapy that still occurs in Canada. These issues need to be addressed, and our party can show leadership by taking them on. .Even after winning a large majority, the Liberals in Ottawa have done nothing. Everything I wrote above still occurs. Let us show the LGBTQ2+ community that we value them, and will fight for their equality as we do with the same passion for every other individual rights and freedoms..Bridges are built by handshakes, and for many of us in the community a gin and soda also. Pride is just one time of the year, but it does not stop after the parade ends. There are countless community events to attend throughout the year, and even more groups that do amazing work, but lack stable funding sources. .Conservative politicians regularly attend hundreds of ethnic community events and hand out grants to support them every year. But no UCP MLAs showed up this year to the Calgary Pride Parade, or to the beer gardens. .Only our newly elected Calgary Centre Conservative MP did. For an event brings in 100,000 people on a single day, the lack of representation from conservative ranks was noticed. If conservatives do not show up, the politicians on the left will, and they carry the narrative that we do not care and that only they have their back, an argument that has some merit. If we are to make inroads, showing up is the first step. . Trudeau on WE scandal: Case closed .Finally, there are many gay conservatives, but it is not an easy thing to say you voted conservative in the LGBTQ2+ community, when many believe our party to be a direct threat to their values, and rights. Many friends have whispered in my ear that they voted for conservative, but we need to better, and faster. If we make inroads, and start moving on the issues that matter to the LGBTQ2+ community listed above, then instead of whispering to me they can say it louder, and the ballot box will start to change in our favour in ridings where 100 votes does make the difference. .Actions matter, and our conservative family, on all levels of government needs to be better. Until we make the first steps and in a meaningful way, the results of Octobers federal election will be a frustrating, and common occurrence..Dustin Franks is a longtime Conservative organizer and political staffer
