A U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows some businesses to reject people from LGBTQ+ communities will encourage a toxic environment at our borders, Quebec organizations fear.
• Read more: Supreme Court rules in favor of creator of website that refuses to perform same-sex weddings
“It’s certainly not good news,” worries Pascal Vaillancourt, general manager of Interline, a first-line help source. The social climate of hatred we feel toward LGBTQ+ communities in the United States, at times, we feel more of it in Quebec.
A majority of justices on the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Friday that companies with creative values cannot use their freedom of expression to provide a service that goes against their values.
The ruling comes after the web designer challenged a Colorado law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation under a fine of up to $500.
A domino effect?
This is a “specific” reason, says Raphael Jacob, an expert on American politics in Raoul-Tandurant Chair, not a legal “recognition of a fundamental right.”
Thus, it is difficult to establish the purpose and precedent of this decision, says Mr. Jacob.
Pascal Vaillancourt hopes the Supreme Court’s ruling will untie at least some of the language.
“I have the impression that such a decision is being taken to clarify those who hold hateful ideas in their heads and dare not speak their names. They kept them to themselves,” he underlines.
Cold
To a lesser extent, some states in Uncle Sam country have enacted legislation on the matter.
For example, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ or ‘Don’t Talk About Homosexuality’ law, which prevents education about gender identity and sexuality.
“It’s expressing a speech, which is very dangerous. Hate speech, there’s a reason it’s not allowed here in Quebec,” Slice Florence Gallant Chennel, co-chair of the Quebec LGBT Council Committee.
Organizations consulted Newspaper I agree that this new controversy may discourage people from considering traveling to the other side of the border.
“It’s sure to cool down tourism. Things have already cooled down in some states that are already hostile to 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Will it have an additional impact? It’s very possible,” said M.me Channel.
– with AFP
