Politics
Thursday February 6, 2003
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HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVISTS FEIGN NO INTEREST IN TRAMPLING RELIGIOUS RIGHTS
Grave doubts expressed about their sincerity given past experiences
OTTAWA, February 6, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Appearing before the Commons Justice Committee to argue in favour of 'marriage' recognition for homosexual unions, activists claimed to have no interest in combating religious rights. John Fisher, of Canada's foremost homosexual activist group EGALE (Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere) and even more stridently activist Keith Norton, of the supposedly neutral Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) gave doubtful assurances to the Committee.
In response to Canadian Alliance MP Monte Solberg who asked, "Can I have your personal guarantee that you will not oppose the rights of religious institutions?", both Fisher and Norton responded positively. "The rules set by particular faiths are protected by freedom of religion," said Fisher. "It would still be discrimination, but it would be lawful," said Norton.
However, the promises ring hollow for pro-family leaders who recall that both Fisher and Norton contributed to a current court battle to strip Catholic schools of their religious rights.
In the Marc Hall case, a 17-year-old male student at a Catholic school launched a $100,000 lawsuit after the school refused him permission to bring his homosexual boyfriend to the school prom as his date. EGALE Canada was the ringleader and an official backer in the case. While Norton could not officially get behind Hall with the OHRC he publicly suggested that Hall would win a human rights challenge if brought before the Commission over which Norton himself presides. Norton told the Toronto Sun it "might be difficult" for faith-based schools to argue religious freedom as a reason to discriminate against someone simply because they're openly gay. "An individual may well be able to invoke the protection of the human rights legislation," he said.
Hilary White of Campaign Life Catholic told LifeSite that the Marc Hall case is the "tip of the iceberg". She recalled other court cases in which EGALE fought against religious rights including the case of Trinity Western, a Christian university, Christian mayors being fined for refusing to act against their religions by proclaiming "gay pride" days, Christian teachers being denied the right to express, outside the classroom, their beliefs and more.
See related LifeSite coverage:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2002/apr/02040401.html
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2002/may/02051301.html
See the National Post coverage of the Justice Committee hearing:
http://www.nationalpost.com/utilities/story.html?id={18681FF...
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