As Quebec celebrates pride month, political candidates from diverse sexual and gender backgrounds gearing up for the upcoming provincial election are raising concerns about a surge in hateful messages targeting them.
Quebec solidaire has reported a sharp increase in online hate directed towards its LGBTQ+ candidates, describing the situation as “exceptional” and “alarming”.
Roxane Milot, the party president and a candidate in a Montreal riding, expressed worry over the impact of online violence on marginalized candidates, highlighting the barriers it creates for individuals from diverse backgrounds considering a political career.
Milot, who identifies as bisexual, shared her recent experience of being targeted by hateful messages and online trolls, underscoring the need for caution among political figures in their public discourse.
The issue of online hate was further highlighted when a candidate from Quebec solidaire, Vanessa Durand, faced backlash for making disparaging remarks towards LGBTQ+ supporters of another party. Durand later apologized and withdrew her candidacy.
Another candidate, Philippe Schnobb of Parti Québécois, revealed that he has been regularly receiving homophobic hate messages, some of which have escalated into threats. Schnobb emphasized the need for a respectful political discourse, acknowledging the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the public arena.
The prevalence of homophobic and transphobic comments in politics was acknowledged by the Liberal party, with senior adviser Philip Laflamme pointing out that candidates from all major parties are susceptible to such attacks.
Leaders, including Liberal Leader Charles Milliard and Quebec Conservative Party Leader Éric Duhaime, who openly identify as gay, have also been subjected to online hate, reflecting the pervasive nature of discriminatory remarks in the political landscape.
Amidst these challenges, parties have implemented support structures and training programs to assist candidates in navigating online violence and handling hostile situations.
