Fort Frances, Ont. — Borderland Pride, the LGBTQ2 Pride organization in the District of Rainy River, has lodged a human rights complaint against the Township of Emo.
The complaint alleges that the township council's recent refusal to adopt a resolution supporting Pride was discriminatory.
Borderland Pride's filing with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal is joined by the Northern Ontario Pride Network as well as by Douglas Judson, a gay man who grew up in the community and is an organizer of Borderland Pride, and Katie Shoemaker, a lesbian mother with a same-sex spouse who lives in Emo.
In addition to the municipality, the complaint names Emo Mayor Harold McQuaker and two members of council who voted against declaring June as Pride Month and flying the rainbow colours on a flagpole in the community.
The complaint alleges discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family status and religion.
Among other requests, the applicants want the tribunal to order the municipality to apologize, and that the mayor and two councillors receive training on diversity, inclusion and human rights, with a focus on LGBTQ2 issues.
In a news release Monday, they said that if there's a financial award, the money will be used to fund Pride and LGBTQ2-inclusion programming in the Emo area.
Borderland Pride co-chair Peter Howie said "Too often we forget that LGBTQ2 people outside of larger centres – and especially youth – lack access to resources, positive role models or sources of support and understanding. The basic observance of Pride by leaders in small communities sends the message that even if their families may not acept them, their institutions are in their corner."
Mayor McQuaker had no immediate comment on the human rights complaint when contacted by Tbnewswatch.
