voting for the gay candidate

I read an article in the New York Times Sunday Magazine about the changing nature of black politics in America which led me to reflect on the nature of gay politics. In Canada it is now possible for openly gay candidates to win elected office at any level. I have had the option of voting for many gay candidates at all levels of government, largely because I reside in Vancouver’s West End. I think that sexuality often plays a lot like race. Gay people will often vote for a gay candidate simply because they are gay, not irregardless of their political views, but they will overlook a great deal that they disagree with in order to support a gay candidate.

Voting for the gay candidate based solely on their sexuality has its limits. In the federal riding that I live in, Vancouver Centre, there is one openly gay candidate running under a major party banner and surprisingly that is Lorne Mayencourt running as a Conservative. Despite the fact that he is gay, I think that Mayencourt fails to connect with gay people in Vancouver Centre. I cannot see how a gay person could stomach voting for the Conservatives, even if the local candidate is gay and professes to support gay rights and issues.

This is not the first time that the Conservatives have run a gay candidate in Vancouver Centre. In 2004, Gary Mitchell ran under the Conservative banner, but apparently his sexuality was not significant as he placed a very distant third. I hope that despite his name recognition, Lorne Mayencourt again finishes a distant third (or maybe even in fourth place if Adrianne Carr can pull a lot of votes). The Conservatives may be the only party running an openly gay candidate in Vancouver Centre, but it is the Liberals who are running the candidate most dedicated to gay rights, and the candidate that has done the most for the gay community.

Hedy Fry has been such a strong ally of the gay community for so long that she may as well be considered gay for political purposes. She gave a very passionate speech during the debate on same sex marriage in the House of Commons. Hedy is always a big presence at the Pride Parade, and always receives an enthusiastic response from the crowd. If voting for the gay candidate is important for you in Vancouver Centre, then you best vote for Hedy Fry.