Vandalized Pride sticker at P.A. business a possible hate crime, police say

Incidents like this have become more common in the last two years, said Alex Zahara, who uses the pronouns he/him and is chair of Prince Albert Pride.

“Obviously it’s very upsetting; those symbols are very important to us,” he said. “They let us know that it’s a safe location that you can go to and you can be yourself there.”

He wasn’t surprised to hear of the act, which police described as mischief. One of the suspects used his phone to take a photo or record the damage in some way.

The second of two men suspected of vandalism at a Prince Albert business. (Facebook/Crime Stoppers)

Zahara said the local Pride community has noticed an increase in similar types of actions, especially online; something that has prompted their organization to cut down on digital advertising.

“Whenever we do ads, we get a lot of hateful messages,” he said.

Zahara said last year the Million March for Children campaign resulted in a lot of harmful comments directed at anyone connected with the Pride community.

“People telling us that they love us, but also calling us groomers and pedophiles, that sort of action and statements have definitely increased,” he said.

Prince Albert Pride does have faith in public perception though, as they have also seen an increase in support from others.

“While at the same time, I would say the hate and the discrimination is definitely increasing, a lot of allies have definitely let us know they have our back,” he said.

This year’s Pride celebration had a record amount of support from other groups and local businesses.

New law creating new challenges

Political leadership in Saskatchewan has not helped the problem, Zahara said.

“I think one thing that really has contributed to the problem of course is Saskatchewan’s Bill 137, the pro-noun policy,” he said.

The bill, which Premier Scott Moe recalled the legislature early in order to pass into law one year ago, bans those under 16 from identifying as their preferred name or gender in school, unless they obtain parental consent.

Zahara said the legislation adopted a lot of the language and ideas of the anti-trans movement, which makes that group feel more comfortable saying things and sometimes taking action.

“One thing we’ve asked from our politicians has been to denounce and formally making a statement that it’s unacceptable to call queer and trans people groomers and pedophiles,” he said.

“We’ve yet to see any kind of statement from our politicians denouncing transphobia.”

Along with Pride organizations in Regina and Saskatoon, Prince Albert Pride issued statements in June restricting Sask. Party MLAs from attending their Pride month celebrations.

This morning, a fiat from the Sask. Court of Appeal addressed the applications of 12 organizations asking for intervenor status in the ongoing legal action between UR Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education.

UR Pride based its lawsuit on the legislation denying children their rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and said that gender-diverse children have the right to “a safe and welcoming educational environment in which to be themselves.”

The Advocates’ Society, Amnesty International Canadian Section, the Attorney General for New Brunswick, the Attorney General of Alberta, British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, Canadian Civil Liberties Association, John Howard Society of Saskatchewan, Justice for Children and Youth, Our Duty Canada, Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, Canadian Union of Public Employees, Canadian Teachers’ Federation, Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia and the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund Inc have all asked to be intervenors.

With the exception of Our Duty Canada, all were granted.

“…ODC’s intervention would serve no proper purpose. At best, ODC would offer no perspective on the constitutional issues that are alive in this appeal that is not already before the Court,” wrote the Appeal justices.

“At worst, ODC’s intervention would serve to direct the Court’s time and attention to matters that will not affect the outcome of the appeal, thus causing prejudice of the parties and the judicial process more generally. We can also identify no prejudice that ODC will suffer should it be denied leave to intervene in this appeal.”

According to its website, Our Duty Canada are concerned parents who believe that children “do not have the cognitive and psychosocial maturity to provide informed consent to the use of synthetic cross-sex hormones and surgical procedures.”

The same website identifies associations with similarly named groups in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States.

It does not list any names or give direct telephone or physical locations.

Meanwhile, Zahara said they have lots of Pride stickers and any business or place in the city wanting to show support is welcome to call and get one to display as a sign of support.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

by Susan McNeil

Vandalized Pride sticker at P.A. business a possible hate crime, police say

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