As Quebec celebrates pride month, political candidates from diverse sexual and gender backgrounds running in the upcoming provincial election are raising concerns about a surge in hateful messages targeting them.
Québec solidaire reports facing an unprecedented wave of online hate directed at its 2SLGBTQ+ candidates, describing the situation as “exceptional” and “alarming.”
Roxane Milot, party president and candidate in a Montreal riding, expressed worries about the escalating online violence, emphasizing the need for caution in political discourse to safeguard all candidates, especially those from marginalized communities.
Milot, who identifies as bisexual, highlighted the detrimental impact of online attacks on underrepresented individuals considering political roles, citing a reluctance among queer, women, and racialized individuals to engage in politics due to the worsening situation in Quebec.
Recently, Milot herself was subjected to hateful messages and trolling on social media. The party faced backlash when candidate Vanessa Durand made derogatory remarks online towards Parti Québécois supporters from 2SLGBTQ+ communities, leading to her withdrawal and a public apology.
Meanwhile, Philippe Schnobb, a Parti Québécois candidate, revealed the regular occurrence of homophobic hate messages, including recent threats, emphasizing the distress caused by such comments turning into personal attacks.
Despite facing intolerable threats, Schnobb refrained from legal action, urging for a decline in such behavior as the election approaches, urging for a respectful and sensitive political discourse.
Liberal Leader Charles Milliard, who is openly gay, addressed the issue of homophobic remarks directed at him, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in politics and denouncing hate speech.
Political parties across the board acknowledged the prevalence of homophobic and transphobic comments, with efforts in place to monitor and address online attacks against candidates.
In response to the growing online violence, parties like Quebec solidaire and the Liberals have established support systems and training sessions to assist candidates in handling abusive situations effectively.