OTTAWA, January 30, 2002 (LSN.ca) – Homosexual activists are thrilled with Prime Minister Chretien’s new appointment to head the Foreign Affairs Ministry. New Foreign Affairs Minister, Bill Graham (Toronto Centre-Rosedale), was hailed by Toronto’s homosexual newspaper Xtra (Jan. 24) as “a friend of the gay community.”
The paper mentions his track record voting in support of homosexual marriage in 2001, and voting against a motion reserving marriage to mean the union of a single man and a single woman in 2000. Xtra also reports Graham supported the Women’s Bath House Defence Fund in its fight against the Toronto Police Service, after its officers laid charges against the lesbian centre.
Two of the bathhouse organizers were charged with permitting disorderly conduct in licensed premises. The charges were recently dismissed when the judge quashed the evidence on constitutional grounds. It has been difficult for Toronto Police to obtain convictions against homosexual establishments and against public nudity and sexual activity by homosexual individuals. This particular community often seems to receive special exemption from normal social laws to which other citizens are subject.
John Fisher, executive director of Canada’s foremost homosexual activist group EGALE, praised Graham saying, “He’s never been hesitant to affirm his support for gay and lesbian issues and he has respect within the Liberal caucus. It’s good that somebody progressive can advance within the cabinet.” Fisher hopes Graham will advocate homosexuality internationally.