Nelson-Creston MLA Brittny Anderson says she91裸聊视频檚 weary of public criticisms directed at her body, clothing and a pose she favours in photographs.
In released Sept. 27, Anderson said her staff had briefed her on complaints from constituents that she appeared to be 91裸聊视频渉aving too much fun91裸聊视频� in photos.
That prompted a response to what she characterized in an interview with the Nelson Star as 91裸聊视频渕icro aggressions91裸聊视频� that have become too common since she entered politics.
91裸聊视频淚 love my job. I think I am also very effective at my job. I love my team. I love my community, and I really want to continue to do the work. But it definitely has a toll on my mental health.91裸聊视频�
At 37, Anderson is among the younger MLAs in Victoria. Since she was first elected to Nelson city council in 2018 and as an NDP MLA in 2020, Anderson says she91裸聊视频檚 had multiple death threats and spotted people filming her while grocery shopping. In a 2021 incident she was verbally assaulted about COVID-19 vaccine policies that led to an .
Despite it being a routine part of a politician91裸聊视频檚 job, Anderson isn91裸聊视频檛 comfortable having her picture taken. To adjust, she typically stands at an angle with a hand on her hip, which she prefers because it makes her waistline look smaller than it would if she stood directly at the camera. And, of course, she smiles.
That isn91裸聊视频檛 good enough for some critics, who Anderson says think she should be more serious in photos.
91裸聊视频淪omeone posting, like, wow, the MLA really likes to have her photo taken with a bunch of people all over the place. I91裸聊视频檓 trying to show you what I91裸聊视频檓 doing and showcasing businesses or community groups.91裸聊视频�
Janice Morrison said she was disappointed to see the feedback Anderson receives.
Morrison was elected Nelson91裸聊视频檚 mayor last October, and is only the second woman to hold the office. Prior to that she served three terms on council dating back to 1999.
Sexism toward women in politics, Morrison said, is nothing new. But it is something she wishes wasn91裸聊视频檛 as prevalent in 2023.
91裸聊视频淚 would have hoped by now that these kinds of comments about dress and look and style we would no longer be seeing in politics. My thing is, let91裸聊视频檚 look at the record of the person who you91裸聊视频檙e talking about. And in the case of Brittny, she has been one of the most active and involved MLAs that I91裸聊视频檝e seen in this region.91裸聊视频�
Last week, Morrison was in Victoria for meetings with local government officials and the topic of Anderson91裸聊视频檚 video came up. Men told Morrison they had never experienced critiques of their looks. The women disagreed.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 just surprised that we continually have to deal with this, because it91裸聊视频檚 not a reflection of the quality of our work. And that91裸聊视频檚 what I want to be judged by. I want to be judged by the quality of my work.91裸聊视频�
Anna Purcell is among the women who reached out to Anderson after her video was released.
Purcell was a Nelson city councillor for one term, and said during her time in office she dressed to show she took the job seriously. But she came to feel as though she had to put on a professional face 24-7.
91裸聊视频淎s a public person, you are hyper scrutinized for everything you do, and feel a pressure to continually demonstrate [and] embody the best of what your community has to offer, even on your off time.91裸聊视频�
Purcell left politics in 2018, but five years later still feels self conscious while she91裸聊视频檚 out in the community. The criticism of Anderson91裸聊视频檚 appearance, Purcell said, is a double standard that women in politics have to live with.
91裸聊视频淚n what world does that preclude competence? It91裸聊视频檚 hard for me to imagine that, maybe I91裸聊视频檓 wrong about this, but I just wonder if a man in politics who looked like he was enjoying himself would be called out for looking like he was enjoying himself.
91裸聊视频淚 hope [Anderson91裸聊视频檚] having fun because otherwise it91裸聊视频檚 not worth it.91裸聊视频�
Lately it hasn91裸聊视频檛 been fun for Anderson.
She is comfortable hearing criticism of her party91裸聊视频檚 policies, but said she91裸聊视频檚 now had enough negative interactions with the public that she tries to bring a friend along even when she91裸聊视频檚 doing mundane tasks.
It91裸聊视频檚 a situation Anderson is trying to live with, although she worries it could deter other qualified women from entering politics.
91裸聊视频淚t makes them not want to step up because they see how other people are treated, whether it91裸聊视频檚 on their appearance or harassment or bullying.91裸聊视频�
Last month, Anderson attended the Union of British Columbia Municipalities91裸聊视频� annual general meeting in Vancouver. The event features thousands of delegates from local governments across the province, and one session focused on how to support women in politics.
During that workshop, Anderson said she was moved by the stories other women told of how they91裸聊视频檝e been poorly treated in office.
91裸聊视频淚 think, still, the public is getting used to seeing a different type of politician, and sometimes I think that91裸聊视频檚 hard for some people to grasp,91裸聊视频� she said.
91裸聊视频淚 think some people really appreciate it and celebrate it. But for others, it91裸聊视频檚 hard for them to see women in leadership positions, especially young women.91裸聊视频�
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