Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. Letters to the Editor

LETTER: Painful to know homophobia still exists in Canada

'It was our hope then, that the way was paved for people like Aiden and all those that stood up to the homophobia, would never have to do that,' says letter writer
Letter to the Editor
osspride-6-6-24-1
A Pride flag has replaced the Canadian flag out front of Orillia Secondary School this month. Tyler Evans/OrilliaMatters File Photo

OrilliaMatters welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected] or via the website. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter is in response to a previous letter, OSS student says it's 'homophobia. Plain and simple'

I congratulate Aiden Harbidge (he/they) for his letter. What a brave soul he is!

I'm 65 now and fought the fight for equality for many years. It pains me to believe that the issues of homophobia still exist in a country like Canada, for the younger generation that are still coming out and attempting to be accepted as they are, living in their own skin, and loving who they are attracted to.

It's time the hypocrites that continue to make life difficult for our younger (he/they) queer or however they choose to describe themselves, took a look at themselves. Is it envy that those who are different can stand up and say "I'm here, I'm queer and I'm not going away." That was something many years ago that we stood up for. It was our hope then, that the way was paved for people like Aiden and all those that stood up to the homophobia, would never have to do that.

The world we live in today is a very different place. And the fact that anyone would be offended by a flag, a painted walkway, would have any difficulty understanding that not everyone is the same. We have come a long way in accepting people of colour, different faith groups, etc., yet, in 2024, Aiden is still calling out the homophobes that want to desecrate and make life difficult because he loves differently.

Wake up folks, the phrase I used above is a reality. I'm also Christian and believe that God created all of us as individuals with many skills, abilities and many differences. Being totally honest here, I don't understand all of the letters used now to be inclusive of all who are different, yet I'm proud to be who I am and believe that Aiden, and those that stand with him should continue to be proud.

It's still a movement. Keep up the fight — I regret nothing — nor should Aiden, or anyone else who loves differently.

Paul Cummings
Victoria Harbour