After affirming that no one will force him to call a non-binary person “Mx” since he has never heard the word before, the leader of the Parti Québécois (PQ), Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, does it again with the question of toilets mixed at school. According to him, ideologies from the “radical left” would impose themselves in the educational environment and it would be up to the National Assembly to hold a parliamentary commission on the alleged phenomenon.
Despite his recent explanations, these statements remain oppressive, stigmatizing, and break with the legacy of his political formation. This is part of the logic of the “culture wars” waged by American neoconservatives against sexual and gender minorities.
Democracy and respect for minorities
These declarations are oppressive since it is not the role of the National Assembly to determine the identity of minority groups and the way to challenge them. Our political system, liberal democracy, is based on the search for a balance between respect for majority rule and the protection of individual freedoms as well as the rights of minorities. It would therefore be ill-advised to ask the majority institution par excellence, the National Assembly, to debate alone and legislate on the best way to designate and accommodate minorities. The latter must be stakeholders in this reflection.
While it is obvious that gender-neutral pronouns and mixed toilets do not deserve such great media attention, the prejudices and stereotypes that have been expressed in the wake of these cases must mean something in Quebec. Unfortunately, the interventions made by the leader of the PQ rather confirm and validate these prejudices. By implying that suspicion of gender diversity is normal and legitimate, he indirectly gives more work to the minister responsible for the fight against homophobia and transphobia, Martine Biron.
The history of the PQ
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s statements also contravene his political party’s legacy of recognizing communities of sexual and gender diversity. On this issue, however, the PQ was a pioneer. After all, it was Marc-André Bédard, then Minister of Justice in the Lévesque government, who modified the Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1977 to include the prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation. Let us also think about the adoption in 2002 of Bill 84, which notably allows the civil union of same-sex spouses, sponsored by Minister Paul Bégin.
There are also the notable figures represented by Claude Charron, Agnès Maltais and company. The positive visibility that these political figures have given to what was unfortunately considered a pathology just a few decades ago deserves to be highlighted. The PQ has always been at the forefront on these issues and would benefit from remaining so. To do this, the situation must be rectified.
The reflection to come
The current controversy over gender identity coincides with the release of the excellent documentary The LGBT purge. The dark storywhich relates the state violence carried out by the federal civil service in the second half of the 20th centurye century for gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, queer and two-spirit people. This documentary, accessible on Tou.tv, constitutes a vibrant testimony to the silent dehumanization to which our public institutions can contribute. This trap must be avoided at all costs in the current public debate.
Therefore, respecting and seriously consulting people who identify with gender diversity is essential before continuing the discussion. Minister Bernard Drainville will have to take this essential fact into account in the “collective reflection” that he wishes to carry out on the question. In order to avoid further slippage, it is important today to raise the level of the debate.