Queer Granddad

In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Curtis Stone singled me out by questioning my use of the handle "QueerGranddad" and implying that there’s something questionable about my identity because I am both queer and a grandfather. His rhetoric taps into an insidious stereotype that queer men, especially those who are openly proud of their identity, are somehow a danger to children. This damaging insinuation perpetuates a longstanding and harmful narrative that equates queerness with deviance or criminal behaviour. The Roots of Harmful Stereotypes The association between queer identity and predatory behavior is a harmful stereotype that dates back decades, originating from misinformation, fear, and prejudice. The notion that queer people, particularly gay men, pose a danger to children was heavily popularized during the "Save Our Children" campaign led by Anita Bryant in the 1970s. This campaign equated homosexuality with pedophilia and positioned LGBTQIA+ individua

Imagine you're 10 year old Alex who identifies as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, you walk into class and half or more of your classmates aren't there because their parents opted them out... I dub the recently announced educational policy by Premier Smith of Alberta as the "Don’t Say Gay AKA Trans Panic" policy. This initiative appears to draw inspiration from one of Smith's admired figures, Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida. The policy seems tailored to accommodate parents who are hesitant to acknowledge the very existence of 2SLGBTQ+ youth, as if the acknowledgment itself might influence their own children, some of whom may identify as queer, to become part of the LGBTQ+ community simply by learning about the realities of the world. Picture this. As the new policy takes effect, schools across Alberta implement the opt-in requirement for discussions on gender identity, sexual orientation, and human sexuality. A student from the 2SLGBTQ+ community, let's call t

Benita Pedersen (left) with David Parker at the United Conservative Party AGM - Facebook "Leaked audio provides details on how Take Back Alberta (TBA), in concert with a loose coalition of far right groups, are meeting monthly and working on building a slate of candidates to take over school boards in the 2025 municipal elections. After they win, TBA founder David Parker and his allies plan to purge the education system of workers and administrators who believe in basic rights, protections and dignity for 2SLGBTQ+ students and workers." --  The Progress Report In a shocking revelation, leaked audio exposes Take Back Alberta's (TBA) clandestine efforts, in collaboration with far-right groups, to manipulate municipal elections and infiltrate school boards. This alarming plan, outlined by TBA founder David Parker, is not just an assault on democracy; it poses a grave danger to the principles of inclusivity, diversity, and the democratic process itself. Undermining the Bedroc

A counter-protester flashes a sign supportive of trans kids at a  demonstration  at the Vancouver Art Gallery that billed itself opposing ‘child medical-transition and gender identity in schools.’  Photo for The Tyee by Maggie MacPherson. The crisis involving anti-trans policies in Canada has manifested through Christian Nationalist activists' efforts, school board infiltrations, and legislative changes, most notably seen in New Brunswick and Saskatchewan, further exacerbated by resolutions passed at the recent Conservative Party convention; this manufactured political wedge issue, affecting a minority of the population, stands in stark contrast to the pressing concerns of the majority regarding housing, food costs, and climate change. Christian Nationalist activists have been targeting public education policies, including infiltrating school boards, attempting to ban resources like SOGI 123, disrupting meetings, and lobbying officials, which, until recently, primarily strained edu

Laurie Baird and members of the Action4Canada Kelowna chapter doing a prayer march around the School District 23 offices on April 7, 2023 Open letter to Laurie Baird who is the Kelowna chapter leader for Action4Canada , a Canada-wide organization that pedals in fearmongering and stoking hate against the 2SLGBTQ community. Dear Ms. Baird, The transphobic assault where a man belligerently demanded proof of gender for youth participating at the recent school sports event in Kelowna shocked and disgusted thousands of people around the world. This is on you, Laurie Baird. It is on you and the people like you who crusade as the moral gender police wreaking havoc on the lives of children who want nothing more than what every child wants. To be loved and supported, and to participate fully in life, school, and sports. You masquerade as someone who is out to “protect the children”, when in fact what you’re doing is causing extreme anxiety and stress to gender-diverse and trans children and the

TW: CSA/Sexual Abuse A worldwide non-denominational church group has just disclosed by way of a letter from the head minister, Doyle Smith in Oregon, that one of their senior ministers, Dean Bruer was found to have raped multiple women and children. Bruer was found deceased in a Government Camp, Oregon hotel room in June 2022, at which time he was the overseeing minister for Oregon. While it isn’t odd that someone died in a hotel room, it is highly unusual for one of this group’s homeless ministers to be staying alone in a hotel when one of the bases of their belief system is that ministers are to stay in the homes of members. Bruer was 67 years old and had been in the ministry for 46 years. What is shocking about this case is what was disclosed in the letter. Evidence was found on the phone, laptop, and in the records of this minister of his crimes, yet the ministry failed to notify authorities or alert members until this letter was written nine months after the body was discovered, a