Press Release

October 29, 2005

Egale opposes Boissoin’s fight against safe schools

Boissoin’s misguided views should be exposed to public scrutiny

Ottawa—Egale opposes Pastor Stephen Boissoin, former Executive Director of Concerned Christians Canada Inc., in leading what he describes as a “war” against making schools safe for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified (LGBT) students and children of LGBT parents. His ‘declaration of war’ was made through a letter to the editor that was published in a newspaper in Red Deer, Alberta on June 17, 2002. The full letter is available at http://concernedchristians.ca/pages/campaigns/hrCommision/theLetter.htm.

The letter is now the subject of a human rights complaint by University of Calgary professor of education and Alberta Human Rights Award winner Darren Lund. Meanwhile, Concerned Christians Canada Inc. is raising money around this issue, and has received support from the U.S. group Alliance Defense Fund. A fundraising dinner is being held tonight in a Calgary hotel and is expected to attract many leaders of the religious right, including Bishop Fred Henry.

“Pastor Boissoin and Concerned Christians Canada want to prevent the teaching of tolerance in our schools, or any measure to make schools more inclusive of LGBT people,” said Gilles Marchildon, Executive Director of Egale. “He thinks that teaching tolerance is wrong, but we’re confident Canadians want our schools to be safe for all children.”

“Pastor Boissoin’s letter demonstrates the profound intolerance that kids must deal with,” said Stephen Lock, board member of Egale Canada. “Pastor Boissoin engages in name calling, saying LGBT people are ‘perverse, self-centered and morally deprived,’ and that ‘where homosexuality flourishes, all manner of wickedness abounds.’ He then says ‘war has been declared’ and calls on his readers to ‘take whatever steps are necessary to reverse the wickedness.’ This is hurtful and inflammatory language.”

“We want Pastor Boissoin’s assertions aired, debated and subjected to public scrutiny,” said Laurie Arron, Director of Advocacy of Egale. “Pastor Boissoin’s letter is over the top, but it is about a political issue, in that it expresses opposition to making schools safe for LGBT children and children of LGBT parents. We know there is disagreement on whether Pastor Boissoin should face legal sanctions for his letter. We think the best course is to expose his misguided views to public strutiny. We believe that sunshine is the best disinfectant.”

“Egale supports Professor Lund in working to make schools safe for all children but respectfully opposes his human rights complaint,” said Mr. Marchildon. “Professor Lund has worked for many years to make schools safe for everyone. He is a champion of human rights, someone we respect and admire.”

Egale Canada advances equality and justice for LGBT people, and their families, across Canada. Founded in 1986, Egale has over 4,000 members including people in each and every province and territory of Canada. Its work includes political action, legal interventions and public education and awareness.

For more info:

Laurie Arron, Director of Advocacy, Egale Canada,
(cell) 416-839-7178

Gilles Marchildon, Executive Director, Egale Canada,
(office) 613-230-1043 x222; (cell) 613-864-1133

Egale Canada ©2010

Advancing equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-identified people and their families across Canada