In the midst of pride month festivities in Quebec, political hopefuls from diverse sexual and gender backgrounds participating in the upcoming provincial election are raising concerns about a surge in hateful messages directed at them.
The party Québec solidaire is grappling with a significant rise in online hate aimed at its 2SLGBTQ+ candidates, a situation described as “exceptional” and “alarming” by party officials. Roxane Milot, the party president and a candidate in a Montreal district, emphasized the need for caution in political discourse amid these troubling developments.
Milot, who identifies as bisexual, highlighted the detrimental impact of online attacks on marginalized candidates, citing a deterrent effect on individuals from diverse backgrounds considering a foray into politics. She stressed the escalating nature of the situation in Quebec, as relayed by 2SLGBTQ+ organizations, which she described as deeply concerning.
Recent incidents have underscored the severity of the issue, with Milot disclosing her own experience of being targeted by hateful messages and online trolls. The party faced public scrutiny following the withdrawal of candidate Vanessa Durand, who made derogatory comments online about supporters of the Parti Québécois from 2SLGBTQ+ communities before retracting her statements and stepping down.
Meanwhile, Philippe Schnobb, a Parti Québécois candidate, revealed that he regularly receives homophobic hate messages, including threats, since entering the political arena earlier this year. Schnobb, who identifies as part of the sexual and gender diverse community and is running in the same Montreal constituency as Milot, expressed dismay over the escalation of such unwarranted attacks.
Despite facing intolerable remarks and threats online, Schnobb opted not to pursue legal action at this time, urging for restraint and civility in the discourse leading up to the election. Liberal Leader Charles Milliard, who is openly gay, addressed the issue of homophobia in politics, asserting his commitment to transparency about his identity and condemning discriminatory remarks directed at him.
Acknowledging the prevalence of homophobic and transphobic comments in political circles, parties are taking steps to address the issue. The Liberal party has implemented measures to support candidates facing online violence, including setting up support groups and remote assistance services. Similar initiatives have been reported within other political factions to provide necessary aid and training to candidates navigating hostile online environments.