Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Openly Gay Legion Member Presses Ahead With Discrimination Complaint

The Canadian Press, 12 Jun, 2019 07:41 PM

    HALIFAX — A Cape Breton man who says he faced discrimination at his local Royal Canadian Legion because he is gay is pressing ahead with a human rights complaint.


    Jason McDonald was supposed to take part in a hearing Wednesday at the legion in New Waterford, N.S., but that complaint process has been delayed until the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission deals with his case.


    McDonald said he endured months of homophobic slurs and harassment after he joined Branch 15 in September 2018.


    He said other members called him "queer," "fag" and "Tinker," which was short for Tinker Bell, the fairy character in the play "Peter Pan."


    "But also there was just plain rudeness as well and isolation. But I kept going."


    Valerie Mitchell-Veinotte, executive director of the legion's Nova Scotia command, declined to comment when asked about the case.


    Earlier this month, the national organization approved a policy that prohibits its branches from affiliating with groups that promote hatred, but the policy also deals with sexual orientation.


    The legion's Dominion Command said changes were needed to prevent a repeat of an incident where the anti-immigration group Soldiers of Odin held an Easter dinner at a legion in Grande Prairie, Alta.


    The new policy states no branch may affiliate with groups that promote hatred or violence due to ethnicity, religion, gender and sexual orientation.


    McDonald said he felt compelled to file complaints last month after an ugly argument with a legion member that left him feeling threatened.


    "He was shouting things at me, wanting me barred and kicked out," said McDonald, who works as an autism interventionist with the Nova Scotia Health Authority.


    "I was afraid, but I stood my ground."


    Though he was never a member of the military, McDonald says he joined the legion because both of his grandfathers fought in the Second World War. As well, his brother served in the navy during the Gulf War, and his uncle served in Bosnia, the Gulf War and in Afghanistan.


    As the club's ways and means chairman, McDonald said he worked hard to enliven a local organization that was doing little more than just existing.


    He organized dances, breakfasts, seniors meals, bingo games and workshops for youth and adults. The events helped generate more than $4,000 per month in profit, he said.


    But some members made it clear they didn't want his help.


    "There was no desire for change and they certainly did not want their legion to become successful with a gay man at the front making money," he said.


    "Homophobia still exists more than the heterosexual public believes. There have been more gains, but there is still a lot of work to be done, even in 2019."


    The branch was closed last month after its entire executive committee resigned, citing infighting and disrespect among the membership.


    In a letter dated May 20, branch president George McLellan told the zone commander the branch was beset by bickering, intransigence and "downright discrimination."


    "The legion that I have been a member of for the past 10 years shows no resemblance of a veterans' organization," McLellan said in the letter, which also cites the successful events organized by McDonald.


    "Every turn we take, someone is trying to sabotage these events."


    McDonald said his ongoing struggle with the legion has forced him to take time off work.


    "This has been an overwhelming time and has affected my life in many ways, from my mental health, eating and sleeping patterns and social life."


    He said he's been often overwhelmed by panic, anxiety and fear, but he insisted he is determined to help others who are facing similar challenges.


    "I am trying to turn all this negative experience into something that will give others a voice — those that feel they are too afraid to stand up."


    More recently, he said he has received support from his work colleagues and from people across the country — as well as hurtful comments.


    "But that just tells me further that there is more work to be done for the LGBT community," he said.


    McDonald said he is now working on a formal complaint that he intends to submit to the provincial human rights commission.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Liberals Prepare To Spend $50M On Social-Finance Plan, But No Strategy For Now

    The Liberals are taking their first $50-million step in a plan to finance experimental ways to deliver social services.

    Liberals Prepare To Spend $50M On Social-Finance Plan, But No Strategy For Now

    Trudeau Appoints Jacqueline O’Neill As Canada’s First Ambassador For Women, Peace And Security

    OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appointed Canada's first ambassador for women, peace and security.

    Trudeau Appoints Jacqueline O’Neill As Canada’s First Ambassador For Women, Peace And Security

    Free Transit OK'd For Youth Living In Victoria, Starts In September

    The Victoria Regional Transit Commission unanimously approved a plan by the municipality to provide free bus passes to students who live in the city and are 18 years old or under.

    Free Transit OK'd For Youth Living In Victoria, Starts In September

    Man Who Praised Quebec Mosque Shooter In Online Videos Gets 30 Days In Jail

    LAVAL, Que. — A Quebec man who was found guilty last May of inciting hatred against Muslims has been sentenced to 30 days in jail.    

    Man Who Praised Quebec Mosque Shooter In Online Videos Gets 30 Days In Jail

    Quebec Trying To Speed Up Process To Adopt Secularism Bill Ahead Of Summer Break

    Quebec Premier Francois Legault says his government is showing good faith by specifying what kinds of religious symbols it plans to ban for many public sector workers.

    Quebec Trying To Speed Up Process To Adopt Secularism Bill Ahead Of Summer Break

    Father Tells B.C. Judge That Happy, Loving Girl, 8, Taken For No Reason

    NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. — The father of an eight-year-old girl who was smothered by her mother says a happy, empathetic, sensitive and loving child was taken away from the world for no reason.

    Father Tells B.C. Judge That Happy, Loving Girl, 8, Taken For No Reason