FORSETH – On second thought, I agree, it’s way past time to stop the insanity
Hannah Hodson.
DURING THE 2021 federal general election, I was delighted to hear that the Conservative Party of Canada would be running a transgender candidate for the first time; that individual was Hannah Hodson, who was running in Victoria. It said to me that the party was moving forward and accepting that all people have the right to proclaim and be who they are.
In fact, the party itself acknowledged, “Hannah is passionate about advancing LGBTQ equality and rights.”
Hodson stated, “All Canadians, especially the most vulnerable, deserve to have a secure future in our country and in our communities. That is why I am running. To give voice to the voiceless.”
In the aftermath of the Conservative Party convention in Quebec City she obviously wasn’t feeling the warmth of the party, turning to “X” (formerly known as Twitter) to share:
“To all the (Conservative Party of Canada) people who have told me they love me, support me, and would fight for me, and who are now telling me to calm down and just go along with this. I see you and I will not forget.”
According to an article in the Times Colonist her leave-taking of the party came about in stages, culminating when … New Brunswick instituted a policy in June requiring students under 16 who are questioning their gender identity to get their parents’ consent before teachers can use their preferred first names or pronouns at school.
“Pierre Poilievre gave it tacit approval,” Hodson said. “That really just was the last straw.“
Although not exclusively, things such as this were why I took my own leave-taking from the party, not renewing my membership earlier this Spring, as well as cancelling an on-going monthly donation I had been making.
Attacks on those who are of a different sexual orientation seem to be increasing, as is the vitriol of comments such as the following by Gloria T, on an online post I made sharing the Times Colonist story:
In the days of common sense, being gay was deemed a mental illness, for good reason, until perverted politicians, started pushing for legalization and special rights, which has now morphed into making the Transgender Agenda, a priority, to destroy more lives and render the recipients of trans surgery, unable to have children!
It’s way past time for all politicians to stop allowing time and money to be squandered on pleasing the selfish, weak, irresponsible people, at the expense of the responsible, taxpaying people – financial and otherwise!
Politicians have to have the brains and backbone, to discern between wrong and right, and to put a stop to allowing insane demands to become priorities, instead of just refusing to even consider such blatantly warped issues, while much more important problems are being neglected! It’s way past time, to stop the insanity!
Well I do agree on one point – it IS way past time to stop the insanity — Gloria’s insanity!
In what Gloria calls the good old days of ‘common sense’, individuals who did not fit into the biological beliefs of those like her, hid who they were.
That led many to take solace in substance abuse to cope with their feelings … some did physical self-harm to their own bodies … the pressures (for some) led to mental health issues … while others, unable to cope, took their own lives.
Attacks made of those who are LGBTQ+ / gender diverse is at the very least BULLYING … and at it’s worst, an attack on the human rights of people.
AND, if that is the direction the Conservative Party is taking – and party leader Pierre Poilievre has yet to call off the hounds — then I don’t believe that Hannah, and others who have/are leaving the party will end.
It will also mean that those with narrow divisive viewpoints will likely come more and more to the forefront of the party.
And that, in my opinion anyway, will only serve to benefit other parties as they take their passion and expertise elsewhere.
By the way, I did respond to Gloria – here’s what I had to say:
I know you will refuse to accept it, however it is a 100% CERTAINTY that there ARE those who are LGBTQ+ in your family. BUT, with certainty I will also say there is no way in hell they will let YOU know, nor anyone close to you.
Those who are LGBTQ+ ARE NOT mentally ill.
Your hatred of others, and refusal to accept that people can be biologically different than you, is sad.
Now, what are your thoughts on this topic? Let me know in the comment section.
In Kamloops, I’m Alan Forseth
Alan Forseth is a Kamloops resident. For 40 years he has been active, in a number of capacities, in local, provincial and federal politics, including running as a candidate for the BC Reform Party in the 1996 provincial election. He more recently was involved in the BC Liberal leadership campaign.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Children aren’t worried about their sexes, it is their parents (and possibly other “influencers”) inculcating their developing brains with issues that should not be brought to the attention of children. I consider myself quite a liberal mind but on the issue of “gender” and children I draw the line. That the conservatives say no to sex modification either chemical , surgical or both until the age of 18 I am OK with that.
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I agree, Pierre. Let’s support the trans community to a strong but reasonable degree, and do so within the limits of reasonable conduct and safety. Limits apply to nearly every aspect of society. This is no different.
But to throw science out the window as the gentleman below has done, degrades discourse to dogmatism to further one’s position, and has no place in the discussions of learned individuals of conscience who believe in established science and facts.
I cannot argue with religious zealots, 5G conspiracy theorists, Freedom Convoy dolts or individuals claiming gender is biological. They are all different sides of the same coin.
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Also Alan, I would say you’re misinformed, and this brings into question your comprehension of this issue. Quote:
“Those who are LGBTQ+ ARE NOT mentally ill. Your hatred of others, and refusal to accept that people can be biologically different than you, is sad.”
Gender identity is not biological (sex) as you proclaim. Gender identity is not sex. There are presumably three sexes: male, female, and unisex.
In order to discuss this topic as leaned and respectable individuals, it’s fundamental that one understands the distinction between gender (a construct) vs sex (biology).
If we are to debate the sky, we should first agree that the sky is blue, not gold as you suggest.
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Your ideology is so misinformed and in lockstep with ancient beliefs … the sad thing is you actually have to be told this:
Although you can go ahead and believe that
“Gender identity (a construct) is not biological (sex) as you proclaim. Gender identity is not sex. There are presumably three sexes: male, female, and unisex.”
… just know that you believe in something that is not correct in any real clinical way.
Someone who has received gender affirming surgery will tell you without doubt that gender identity is very much a biological or sex determinating act and construct. Phycologists in the area and psychiatrists will also clinically state the same.
Nothing else to add except your ideals here and in the diatribe below, seem more analogous to the Gloria of Forseth’s column.
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Actually there is only a few things doctors know for sure. A mole hill versus a mountain in comparison.
Converting penis’ into vaginas and vice-versa is unnatural as it gets, especially so when children are involved.
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Small autocorrect correction: the three presumed sexes are male, female and intersex (not unisex). Thank you.
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It is not unreasonable that children under the age of consent are not permitted to take the same drugs used to chemically castrate sex offenders, or have life altering surgery at such a young age, outside of perhaps some very narrow criteria.
To put it bluntly, a child cannot comprehend the long-term implications of having their genitals or breast removed/altered to fit within a social construct/form of expression (gender identity).
When the debates around homosexuality were raging in the 20th century, there was some research that indicated there was a biological aspect to it. In the case of gender identity, we are talking solely about a personal expression, not a biological imperative. Indeed, there is no such biological manifestation of genders such as “cat” or “gender fluid”, because biology is not the domain of social constructs. Social constructs reside in our minds and our culture.
We do not let children get tattoos. We don’t let them vote. Drive. Drink alcohol. Smoke. Why would we permit them to take significant and in some cases irreversible steps to chemically and surgically alter their bodies to conform with something that is only in our heads?
In regard to informing parents, parents are the authority and responsible party for raising their child. A policy of not informing parents wrongly presumes something bad will happen if parents are notified. That’s not the case. Consider this: a child discloses gender identity issues to the school. The school does not inform the parent. The child commits suicide (data indicates trans individuals have higher rates of suicide than their non trans peers). The school in this case has hid a critical issue from the parent, which if informed, the parent and other parties could have worked to support the child. The school in this scenario should be held responsible for a reprehensible stance and their implicit contribution to the environment that led to suicide.
Simply put, parents are the highest guardians of their children. Not schools. Not teachers. Not counsellors. To remove that authority by obfuscation and outright lies, is a devious and flagrant disregard of law and nature.
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Well said and I agree wholeheartedly your your opinion.
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