All MLAs should stand up and reject homophobic and anti-choice views, says Arora
VICTORIA – The B.C. legislature is set to debate a motion this morning to reject the homophobic, transphobic, and anti-choice views of the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA).
ARPA is a far-right lobby group that considers homosexuality to be “sinful and destructive,” “morally wrong,” “disordered,” and worthy of “eternal punishment.” They also support conversion therapy.
At the provincial level, ARPA is registered to lobby for “policies that seek to limit or regulate access to abortion” and recently made a budget submission arguing to defund abortion services in British Columbia.
B.C. Conservative MLA Heather Maahs hosted the group in the Hall of Honour in April. “What ARPA has done is given a voice to the ills of society that are so harmful to many,” Maahs said at the time. “Many of their stances align with our common sense approach as the Conservative Party of BC.”
Several of her fellow MLAs subsequently denounced the organization:
Elenore Sturko: “To see a group that, in my opinion, actively works against the rights of other British Columbians, is not in line with what I want to see in the Hall of Honour… I do not believe that (ARPA) is a group that is aligned with most of the people in my riding or even most of those in the caucus.”
Amelia Boultbee: “Heather Maahs (Chilliwack North) doesn’t speak for me. I myself, a Christian, believe all British Columbians should have the same civil rights whether you’re gay or straight… I will continue to represent all my constituents regardless of what some members of my caucus associate themselves with.”
Trevor Halford: “I’m not familiar with this group, but I’m very familiar with my own personal beliefs — I come from a place of tolerance. I will always stand up against anything that is intolerant or anything that impedes the rights of the people I represent.”
B.C. NDP MLA Rohini Arora:
“ARPA is an organization dedicated to implementing homophobic and transphobic policy, and is lobbying to restrict the right to choose in our province. Every British Columbian deserves to know where their MLA stands on these issues, and this morning’s debate is an important opportunity for MLAs to clearly reject these harmful, divisive policies.”