The resignation of Madame Émilise Lessard-Therrien causes a political earthquake. It raises questions about the effective place of women within Québec solidaire. Certainly, several of the structures are equal (co-spokespersons are an example, or the use of two microphones to ensure that women can speak during congresses or other meetings). This is already proving to be a valuable asset. At the same time, the party is within a kyriarchal ethos unconsciously influencing structures and approaches.
Far from blaming someone guilty, I wonder if the current crisis does not represent an opportunity to further highlight the dimension of feminism and intersectionality in a very pragmatic way. We could encourage a deconstruction of the insidious androcentric and patriarchal culture to concretely accentuate the place of women and racialized people or LGBTQ+ communities as well as all interactions combining discrimination. Such an approach would highlight different candidates, place Québec solidaire both in its originality and in a tangible fight against the current backlash and would visibly favor the project of a different society promoted, where equality and equity are prophetically incarnated.
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