There is a very heated — and divisive — discussion going on in Quebec these days over the governing party’s proposed Charter of Quebec values, which would see public employees barred from wearing religious symbols in their workplaces. I’ve been writing a fair bit about it all in my Gazette blog, and you can go there if you want to read those posts.
As regular readers know, I am no fan of most organized religions that persecute LGBTQ people and others. And I have stated that very clearly in my Gazette posts. And I do see the cries of discrimination by religious people in Quebec these days as karma — they are getting a taste of their own medicine, and it is bitter.
Still, as I pointed out in my latest post about the subject, I do support the right of religious people to wear their religious symbols — even if they reject me — because the symbols in question would in no way affect the quality of service Quebecers receive in public institutions.
But on a global level — and the world is very much a global village — we supporters of equal rights for LGBTQ people are in a slugfest with some religious organizations.
Which is why I am somewhat conflicted by this debate in Quebec.
Ultimately, as I point out in my most recent Gazette item:
Every great sage has summed up the perennial wisdom underlying the world’s religions and philosophies with one word: Love.
Banning religious symbols is not an act of love.
Jillian
Jillian Page 
I don’t remember a charter of Quebec values being an issue in the last election. All of this is PQ posturing order to polarize the population and have french Quebecers consolidate behind the PQ. It’s about fear and loathing, it’s about hatred. It’s what I detest about the separatists (oh… it’s been a while since you heard that word, hasn’t it). I don’t need them blowing Quebec values up my ass, when as a high school student I remember the ‘Morts aux Anglais’ slogans being paint on my school, and the synagogues being firebombed more recently. All of this so that Herouxville could have ball and lights on their trees.
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I tried to reply on the Gazette site, but there was no place for comments. As one of the signatories for the above mentioned reaction by certain LGBT individuals, I underline that we never pretended to represent anybody other than ourselves. As you know, newspapers choose their own headlines. The Gazette chose this one. As well, as you surely know, the Québec Charter of Rights and Freedoms which forbids discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is a provincial law, even though it carries this important title. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is fundamental constitutional law and cannot be changed without the consent of the House of Commons, the Senate, and the legislatures of seven provinces representing at least 50% of the population of Canada. Even though it is highly unlikely that the National Assembly revoke certain dispositions of the Charter and remove these rights, our point is if that if it is going to be done to remove the rights of one minority group, it can, in principle be modified to remove the rights of another.
As you also know, this is a debate, and the debate is about having different opinions. I respect yours. Please respect ours.
As well, I would be very hesitant to say that I am not going to accord respect to one group, because, in other countries, that group does not respect ours! Do we really want to compare ourselves with countries where human rights are not accorded? Is that our standard?
Bill Ryan, signatory
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Hi, Bill,
Thank you for your comment. You are most welcome here. I do respect your opinion, and welcome more from you here.
As you might have seen, I did a final post today on the Gazette site about the charter, and I do support the right of religious people to wear their symbols. I’ll leave it at that — the post is self-explanatory.
Again, thank you.
Jillian
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Religion and sexual practices are best kept behind closed doors. We don’t need gangs and tribalism on the streets, a gang badge is just the start…
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