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71 YEAR OLD CANADIAN LEGISLATOR HOUNDED FOR SPEAKING AGAINST HOMOSEXUAL 'MARRIAGE'

Accused of "hate-mongering", "homophobia", "spewing hatred", "rabid prejudice", being "extreme"

OTTAWA, May 9, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament Elsie Wayne has come under intense fire by the media and even politicians within her own party over comments she made in the House of Commons yesterday objecting to the redefinition of marriage to include homosexual couples. "I must say that I never thought, when I came to the Hill in 1993, that I would ever have to rise in the House of Commons and debate the definition of marriage. I cannot believe that this is happening," said the 71-year-old grandmother who has been re-elected in nine consecutive elections.

Most media attention quoted selectively from Wayne as she said: "When it comes to people who wish to live together, whether they are women or men, why do they have to be out here in the public always wanting to call it marriage? Why are they in parades? Why are men dressed up as women on floats? They do not see us getting up on floats to say we are husband and wife. We do not do that. Why do they have to go around trying to get a whole lot of publicity? If they are going to live together, they can go live together and shut up about it. There is no need for this nonsense whatsoever and we should not have to tolerate it in Canada."

Most media failed to mention Wayne was addressing the twin evils of the attempt to redefine marriage and to sanction child pornography as having "artistic merit" being foisted upon Canadians by an un-elected Supreme Court.

"It is pathetic that with all the problems we have in this country from coast to coast we would be spending this time discussing this sort of thing," continued Wayne. "I have to say I am really hurt when I think of this. As I have stated, I look at these young people, our pages who are sitting here, bless their hearts, and we want to have a great country for them. We want to make sure that we have a solid foundation for their future, and a solid foundation for their future is to make sure that we stand up and we speak out for the values that are good for them for the rest of their lives. . I will say right now that when I look at the definition of marriage being changed that is not a solid foundation for the future of our children."

Former NDP leader Alexa McDonough led the venemous charge against Wayne in the House saying that her remarks were an attempt to "inflame and engender the hateful form of homophobia that does grip some of the people in our society." Outside the House McDonough called Wayne's remarks "hatemongering" and accused her of "spewing hatred," and having "19th-century views" and demanded she be removed from her post as deputy leader of the Tories.

Wayne did not receive any support from her Party Leader Joe Clark, a Catholic, who told reporters, "Elsie has extreme views on that issue." In a prepared statement issued today Clark said: "Mrs. Wayne does not speak for me or for the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. As a citizen, she is entitled to express her personal opinions but should be conscious of their impact on others." Clark also announced that she will be removed from her post as deputy leader. "Upon my election as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, I conferred the title of deputy leader on Mrs. Wayne to mark her service as a former interim leader. As my deputy, therefore, her term will end with mine on May 31, 2003," said Clark.

Tory MP Scott Brison, a homosexual activist and candidate to lead the Party, said Wayne demonstrated "rabid prejudice" and asked her to be deposed as deputy leader. "Elsie is saying we should not have to tolerate equality in Canada, and I say we should not have to tolerate bigotry in Canada," he said.

See the actual comments from Wayne from Hansard beginning here:
http://www.parl.gc.ca/37/2/parlbus/chambus/house/debates/098_2003-05-08/HAN098-E...

Elsie Wayne can be contacted at
Telephone: (613) 947-4571 Fax: (613) 947-4574
Email:

See previous LifeSite coverage of C-250

DEADLINE FOR HOMOSEXUAL HATE-CRIME LEGISLATION BILL C-250 IS MAY 15
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/mar/03031904.html

'SEXUAL ORIENTATION' HATE CRIME BILL UPDATE AND QUESTIONS FOR BILL'S SPONSOR
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/apr/03043002.html

CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE ASKS GOVERNMENT TO SCRAP HOMOSEXUAL HATE CRIMES BILL
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/apr/03041702.html

SPEAKER WARNS HOMOSEXUALITY BEING USED FOR INTERNATIONAL SECULAR HUMANIST AGENDA
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/feb/030207a.html

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