NDP MLA Janis Irwin is not a victim; of homophobia or any other martyr label she chooses to throw around..She’s a well-paid elected official representing Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood who behaved in a juvenile, offensive manner that’s unacceptable and unbecoming of someone who holds public office. .She wasn’t, as she claimed, “targeted by a far-right news outlet.”.If any other politician or public figure did what she did, they’d be subject to exactly the same scrutiny she received in this column Monday. .Being female and gay doesn’t excuse one from being held accountable for mocking and offending the Christian community — precisely what Irwin did – some of whom she was elected to represent..Too often, when people fail to do their jobs properly they deflect warranted criticism by accusing others of persecuting them because they are female, or gay, or a certain skin colour, or suffer white privilege, or ate Cheerios for breakfast, or whatever excuse they can conjure up. .They camouflage this tactic by presenting themselves as caring champions for for the downtrodden. And maybe they are – that still doesn’t excuse poor conduct..The victimhood complex excuse won’t work here..Few – if any – care about Irwin’s sexual preferences or identity. They are her business, and her’s alone. It is Irwin herself who never misses a chance to speak about herself to the exclusion of most other issues that are of public concern..Irwin claimed she was targeted by Western Standard for innocently “popping by” Pride Corner, located on Whyte Avenue and Calgary Trail in Edmonton, last Friday..That’s dishonest and misleading. .She mocked Jesus and the Bible, used bully and intimidation tactics, and encouraged vigilantism against a street preacher holding a sign saying: ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” .I don’t recall Irwin or her far-left ilk similarly disrespecting the religious beliefs of minority religious faiths with similar worldview..One woman held signs saying: ‘Respect my existence or expect my resistance’ and another ‘Keeping YEG hate free.’.Proof that Irwin didn’t just pop by lies in the photo she posted of her grinning broadly standing there holding two signs saying: ‘This is homophobia disguised as Bible quotes’ and ‘Hate speech is not welcome here.”.Irwin later encouraged people to “Stop by! They’re there every Friday night til late, drowning out the hate.”.When this was accurately reported in this column, predictably, accusations of homophobia manifested..Twitter activist Kathleen Smith took exception to Irwin being called out for “mocking supporters of God’ and wondered: “What did Janis do to be accused of such a thing?” .Hey Kathy, check out the photo Irwin posted..Then Smith piously opined: “This is what gaslighting LGBTQ2 persons looks like. This is what (very) thinly veiled homophobia looks like.”.Oh please. This is what displeasure at Jesus being mocked looks like and concern about a politician behaving badly looks like. Don’t make stuff up. .Now, how did Irwin – Alberta’s Official Opposition and critic for LGBTQ2S+ issues – respond?.Did she assure Christians in her constituency that she’d represent – or at least respect – them?.Did she apologize for disrespecting their religion, while giving a pass to other faiths?.Hard no. She doubled down. Her response makes one wonder if she sits in a high school classroom or in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta..Irwin posted a letter from a young, gay, female who is part of a racial minority. .It’s possible someone who fits this description contacted Irwin and wrote these words..It says: “It makes me feel safer knowing that there is someone in the government who understands empathy and compassion and is rooting for kids like me.”.It also said: “Every time I see the guy with those Jesus signs screaming about our sins I feel like he is yelling at me.”.Irwin throwing gas on the problem helps this young woman how?.Which brings us to the street preachers..Strathcona Baptist Church, located in the area, isn’t involved in street preaching..Pastor Eric Brooks “struggles” with the method used at times..“I understand the heart of what they’re doing. A lot of times the approach they’re taking is aggressive, it’s confrontational, it comes across as judgmental and it’s not out of relationship. I would say that’s disrespectful. And I would say those streets preachers do receive a lot of disrespect,” said Brooks..“The targeted message seems to be at that particular segment. There are other sinful actions that we’re all engaged in. If the motivation’s judgementalism or an assumption of we’re better because we know that what you’re doing is a sin, then that’s equally sinful,” he said..“That’s coming from a position of pride and judgment rather than a position of love, compassion, humility and grace. The message of the gospel is about grace for sinners,” said Brooks..What about those who mock Jesus and the Bible? .Well, Brooks choose to shy away from getting involved in anything controversial like that..“My responsibility is not to be Jesus’ bodyguard. In the end, they have to stand before Jesus and give an account for that,” he said..There is a problem in the area..The question is what’s the responsible thing for a politician to do?.Inject herself into the fray? Or live up to her obligation when she took the oath of office – which, by the way, mentions God twice – and figure out how to fix problems?.Pride Corner is in Edmonton Strathcona, the constituency represented by NDP leader Rachel Notley..What’s she doing to bring peace and unity to the area?.Slobodian is the Senior Manitoba Columnist for the Western Standard .lslobodian@westernstandardonline.com
