As celebrations for pride month unfold throughout Quebec, political contenders from diverse sexual and gender backgrounds participating in the upcoming provincial election are raising concerns about a surge in hateful messages directed at them. Québec solidaire has reported facing a significant and troubling wave of online hate targeting its 2SLGBTQ+ candidates.
Roxane Milot, the party president and a candidate in Montreal, expressed worries about the situation, emphasizing the need for caution in rhetoric among all candidates and party leaders. Milot, who is bisexual, highlighted how online violence against marginalized candidates hinders the involvement of individuals from diverse backgrounds in politics. She noted a disturbing trend of increasing hostility reported by 2SLGBTQ+ organizations in Quebec.
Milot disclosed her recent experience of being subjected to hateful messages and online harassment. The party also faced controversy when one of its candidates, Vanessa Durand, resigned after making derogatory comments towards Parti Québécois supporters from 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Philippe Schnobb, a Parti Québécois candidate, revealed that he frequently receives homophobic hate messages, including recent threats.
Schnobb, who identifies as part of the sexual and gender diverse community, shared his discomfort with the situation, citing a specific homophobic comment on his social media post that contained a threatening tone. Despite facing intolerable remarks, Schnobb has chosen not to pursue legal action at this time and urged for respectful discourse in the lead-up to the election.
In a statement, Liberal Leader Charles Milliard, who is openly gay, emphasized the importance of inclusivity in politics and denounced the homophobic remarks directed at him. The issue of homophobic and transphobic comments was acknowledged by Philip Laflamme, a senior adviser for the Liberal party, who highlighted its prevalence across major political parties.
Christine Fréchette’s communications director expressed dismay over the attacks on candidates’ social media accounts, while Éric Duhaime’s team confirmed that he has also faced online hate but opted not to give it undue attention. Political parties have acknowledged the need to adapt to combat the rise in online violence against candidates.
Support systems and remote assistance services have been established within Quebec solidaire and the Liberal party to aid candidates in need. Training sessions are being provided to equip candidates with skills to navigate challenging situations effectively.