EMO, Ont. — The LGBTQ2 Pride organization in the Fort Frances area is hinting at filing a human rights complaint against the Township of Emo for its refusal to declare June as Pride Month.
Borderland Pride says it has already conferred with an eminent Canadian human rights lawyer.
The announcement came after the organization failed on Tuesday night to convince Emo council to reconsider its 3-2 vote on May 12 against declaring Pride Month and flying or displaying an LGBTQ2 rainbow flag for one week.
In a letter to council in advance of Tuesday's meeting, Borderland Pride expressed disappointment in Mayor Harold McQuaker and the two councillors who oppose the motion.
It said none of the three has been able to articulate any specific objection to the request to show support for the Pride movement.
"The message sent by your vote is that LGBTQ2 people are unwelcome in your community, and less worthy of concern, support or care," the letter maintained. "The community has been left with the distinct impression that homophobia is the only basis for refusing our request."
McQuaker has argued that it's not fair to celebrate "one side of the coin" without celebrating the other, saying "there's no flags being flown for straight people."
Borderland Pride launched a petition on May 16 to pressure council to reconsider its position.
Since then, the organization says it's received about 1,700 signatures, including 68 from Emo, 48 from surrounding communities and close to 450 from other muncipalities in northwestern Ontario.
Emo has a population of 1,400.
McQuaker disputes the numbers, saying only 29 signatories are Emo residents.
Douglas Judson, co-chair of Borderland Pride, said the two councillors who support Pride Month have demonstrated an understanding of the challenges facing LGBTQ2 young people in communities like Emo.
"It is disturbing to hear their colleagues citing 'majority rules' as the basis for casting aside any concern for their well being. That is oppressive language that is out of step with Canadian law, public policy and values on minority rights," Judson said.
According to Borderland Pride, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal has found in several cases that a municipal council's failure to provide a resolution of support to a Pride organization constitutes discrimination on a protected ground.
Asked about the prospect of a legal challenge to council's vote, Mayor McQuaker said Wednesday "I'd rather not comment on that."
Borderland Pride plans to release an update on its next steps in the coming days.
