As Quebec celebrates pride month, political candidates from diverse sexual and gender backgrounds participating in the upcoming provincial election are raising concerns about a surge in hateful messages directed at them. Québec solidaire has reported facing an unprecedented level of online hate targeting its 2SLGBTQ+ candidates.
Roxane Milot, the party president and a candidate in Montreal, expressed worries about the escalating situation and emphasized the need for caution in communication by all candidates and party leaders. Milot, who is bisexual, highlighted how online violence against marginalized candidates hinders diversity in politics, making it challenging to encourage individuals from varied backgrounds to run for office.
Milot revealed her own experience of receiving hateful messages and online harassment. The party recently made headlines when one of its candidates, Vanessa Durand, withdrew her candidacy after making derogatory remarks towards Parti Québécois supporters from the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Philippe Schnobb, a Parti Québécois candidate and a member of the sexual and gender diverse community, shared that he frequently receives homophobic hate messages, including threats.
Despite facing intolerable remarks, Schnobb expressed his reluctance to pursue legal action at the moment. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a respectful discourse, especially as the election period progresses. Charles Milliard, the Liberal Leader who is openly gay, addressed the issue of homophobic comments directed at him, emphasizing the right of every Quebecer to participate in the democratic process.
Philip Laflamme, a senior adviser for the Liberal party, acknowledged that homophobic and transphobic comments affect all major political parties. The Coalition Avenir Québec Leader’s communications director condemned the attacks on candidates, stating that social media accounts are being monitored closely to address such behavior.
Support structures and remote assistance services have been implemented within political parties to assist candidates facing online violence. Quebec solidaire and the Liberals have established support groups and training sessions to equip candidates with the tools to handle challenging situations effectively. The effort to combat online hate speech against candidates continues as parties strive to adapt to the evolving landscape of digital communication.