Reaction was immediate and negative to news that several Liberal MLAs have used taxpayers money to run ads in a B.C. Christian magazine that has run stories opposed to transgender rights, to medical assistance in dying, and spoken out against banning so-called 91裸聊视频渃onversion therapy.91裸聊视频�
Shortly after the story broke on Tuesday that a number of Liberal MLAs, including party leader Andrew Wilkinson had bought ads in the Langley-based 91裸聊视频淭he Light Magazine,91裸聊视频� Wilkinson issued a statement on Twitter promising to take action.
There is no room in the BC Liberal Party for homophobia, transphobia, or any other form of discrimination.
91裸聊视频� Andrew Wilkinson (@Wilkinson4BC)
Going forward, we are taking immediate steps to ensure our advertising decisions reflect those values at all times.
91裸聊视频漈here is no room in the BC Liberal Party for homophobia, transphobia, or any other form of discrimination,91裸聊视频� Wilkinson said.
91裸聊视频淕oing forward, we are taking immediate steps to ensure our advertising decisions reflect those values at all times.91裸聊视频�
Coleman said the idea of buying a group ad in the magazine had come from the Liberal caucus, and he expected that process would be adjusted in future.
That said, the veteran MLA added buying a seasonal 91裸聊视频済ood wishes91裸聊视频� message does not represent his endorsement of the positions taken by the publication, any more than the ads he runs in local newspapers do.
91裸聊视频淪ometimes, I don91裸聊视频檛 like your editorial content, but I still buy ads,91裸聊视频� Coleman commented.
He went on to say that The Light was a way of reaching out to the Christian community, no different than reaching other religions through other publications.
Black Press Media has reached out to MLA Polak, as well as The Light Magazine. But prior to deadline, there was no response.
It was 91裸聊视频渧ery disturbing91裸聊视频� but not a great surprise, to Art Pearson, the public outreach coordinator for the Hominum Fraser Valley support group 91裸聊视频� which holds monthly meetings in the Langley area for gay, bi-sexual, and questioning men.
91裸聊视频淭here are going to be some people who never change [their views],91裸聊视频� Pearson told the Langley Advance Times.
Pearson, who described himself as a religious person and member of the United Church, said he supports an inclusive, tolerant version of Christianity.
He suspects the ads were purchased without full knowledge of the magazine91裸聊视频檚 contents.
91裸聊视频淪omebody in the Liberal Party should have done their homework,91裸聊视频� Pearson commented. 91裸聊视频淭hey were sloppy.91裸聊视频�
He suggested the party could best make amends by spending ad dollars to amplify the message of Wikinson91裸聊视频檚 lone Tweet.
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For Langley inclusion activist Stacey Wakelin, the most 91裸聊视频渦nfortunate91裸聊视频� part of this story is the fact that the MLAs reportedly used their constituency office allowance designated for communications with their constituents.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 the fact that it91裸聊视频檚 taxpayers money is what really frustrates me,91裸聊视频� Wakelin said.
She thinks it is possible that the ads ran in error, but Wakelin thinks it is just as likely that the MLA were playing to their core support.
91裸聊视频淵ou91裸聊视频檙e looking at career politicians who cater to their base,91裸聊视频� Wakelin said. 91裸聊视频淚 hope they will use this as a learning experience.91裸聊视频�
A March 2020 article in The Light, which describes itself as 91裸聊视频渁 free monthly Christian lifestyle magazine,91裸聊视频� disputed claims about the harm done by conversion therapy.
91裸聊视频淐ontemporary [conversion] therapists are more likely to rely on talk, visualization, prayer, social skills training, psychoanalytic or group therapy,91裸聊视频� the article stated.
It warned banning conversion therapy 91裸聊视频渃ould actually have far-reaching impact on pastoral care and support groups,91裸聊视频� predicting 91裸聊视频渢he shore of religious freedom is indeed being eroded again.91裸聊视频�
Endorsing conversion therapy was especially offensive to Wakelin, because she personally knows people whose 91裸聊视频渓ives were ruined91裸聊视频� by attempts to forcibly change their sexual orientation.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 2020,91裸聊视频� Wakelin went on to say. 91裸聊视频淲hy do we keep having these conversations?91裸聊视频�
Wakelin, who has opposed what she believes to be anti-gay activism in the community, is currently on the board of the Triple A Senior Housing and Langley Pos-Abilties societies, while additionally organizing On the Table 91裸聊视频� a community dinner held for citizens to break bread and meet each other.
Other Liberal MLAs seen in a 2019 91裸聊视频滺appy Thanksgiving from the B.C. Liberal Caucus91裸聊视频� ad that ran in the magazine were; Langley MLA Mary Polak, Langley East MLA Rich Coleman, Surrey 91裸聊视频� Cloverdale MLA Marvin Hunt, Kamloops 91裸聊视频� South Thompson MLA Todd Stone, Abbotsford West MLA Mike de Jong (which also serves a northeast section of Langley) , Vancouver 91裸聊视频� Langara MLA Michael Lee, Vancouver 91裸聊视频� False Creek MLA Sam Sullivan, Abbotsford 91裸聊视频� Mission MLA Simon Gibson, and Chilliwack 91裸聊视频� Kent MLA Laurie Throness.
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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