Sexuality not an issue in election

[tenni]

TORONTO — Kathleen Wynne’s sexual orientation wasn’t on voters’ minds during the election campaign that saw her crowned Ontario’s first openly gay premier, a shift some observers and LGBT advocates attribute to the premier’s own attitude as well as the public’s.

What just a few years ago might have fuelled attack ads and whisper campaigns turned out to be a complete “non-issue” in the lead-up to Thursday’s vote, said Graham White, a political science professor at the University of Toronto.

“It really is kind of a remarkable turnaround from 10-15 years ago,” said White, who lives in Wynne’s west-Toronto riding.
“I’d like to think the Ontario population is becoming more tolerant — certainly they’re becoming more familiar with public figures, not just politicians, who are out,” he said.

“It’s never been the focal point of who she is,” said Andrea Houston, a former reporter for Xtra!, part of the gay media organization Pink Triangle Press.
“It’s definitely positioned her as a strong woman premier of Ontario as opposed to ‘the gay leader’ or ‘the gay premier,’ and that’s an incredibly smart strategy,” said Houston, who often speaks on gay rights.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/06/14/sexuality-a-non-issue-during-wynnes-election-campaign-expert/

There is still bigotry and hatred within my province but ten years after same sex marriage was made legal, Ontario and Canada are moving forward towards becoming a place where a person's sexuality is irrelevant.

Do you think that your area is growing more tolerant and becoming a place where sexuality is irrelevant in politics?

[lady_starlight]

a) i am SOOOo happy with the results of the election.
b) I didn't even know Kathleen was in a same sex relationship until my boss said something about it being so awesome to have our first elected female and gay premier. Not that it would have influenced my vote - but i'm actually surprised it wasn't made a focal point of the opposition, especially in my backassward neck of the woods.
c) yes - apparently we are way more tolerant than i even expected (since the local conservative candidate made a comment on the radio less than 4 years ago about not being in support of same sex marriage, at the 'request of my constituents')

[BiBedBud]

From my "read" of this recent election, this wasn't so much an enthusiastic vote for Wynne, as it was an anti-Hudak vote.

Many, many people were motivated to vote, not because of overwhelming approval for Wynne's policies or track record. Rather, nobody wanted to see "Mike Harris Part 2" if Hudak were to have won.

Ontarians are too pragmatic to worry one whit about sexuality, while casting a ballot; so in that I can agree, Wynne's orientation was immaterial to Ontario voters.

I wonder if Drew thinks the same thing could happen in Alberta. (?)

[tenni]

I agree with you biBedBud

Despite the platform of the Conservatives people were not willing to be tricked again. Interestingly, media commentary now discusses the sexuality issue as a non starter. Wynne did not promote anything about her personal life. Her legal wife has been occasionally mentioned and on the stage at her acceptance speech. I think that I heard Wynne say something like Jane you can stay just as she started her acceptance speech. She mentioned a child as well..maybe a grandchild? She has adult children and instead of the photo ops of Wynne with her kids and grandkids she did not go there nor did the NDP. Hudak showed his heteronormative family just a litle. The candidates threw mud at each other but none of it had to do with sexuality, marital status etc.

Alberta is another issue of acceptance. It would be telling whether Alberta's conservative ideas are more fiscal than societal if they elected a gay/lesbian as Premier. I suspect that a bisexual would make the headlines for her/his sexual practices if the bisexual was in a closed loop relationship. Novelty would draw attention. I suspect issues of morality might be brought forward if the Premier was in a three way relationship. Whether there would be a societal boo who reactions I suspect that there might be.

Speculation in the media was about a gay Prime Minister. Not one word about bisexuals. Apparently, Belgium and a Scandinavian country also have gay political leaders but I think that Wynne may be the only gay woman political leader in the Western world? Does anyone know who these leaders are?