Thank you for the thought provoking column Tolerating tolerance, published on July 4th, 2014.
I have often pondered if the Prince George opponents of same sex relationships all those years ago have changed their minds about the issue. It is, after all, 18 years since the very first Pride march, when a small band of brave souls set out in an atmosphere of fear and bravery mingled with, yes, pride. It seems to me that now there are other more pressing issues, such as the safety of our children, who may be seen as different, in their schools. These children at risk are a new generation of pioneers, challenging what we understand of the basic facts of gender itself. School Boards and School Administrations are the frontier now, not City Hall. A new sector must grapple with the challenges and gifts transgendered children bring to their schools.
I know I grew and I learned over these years. I found how to differentiate between religion and religious intolerance. I found more allies in people of faith than enemies and they taught me tolerance. I began to see that religion was not the issue, but holding blindly to extremist views - no matter what strain of religion - was the problem. I learned that people of faith are as diverse as the people of the rainbow nation I strove to serve.
Further, I have grown to believe the heat of the day can warm the understanding of the future. A sign of this, I think, is the fact that Shirley Gratton and I enjoy a cordial and mutually respectful relationship. I learned to respect Shirley for the courage of her convictions even as I disagreed with them. (I think she might say the same.) It is possible, I think now, for a community to turn itself inside out in search of answers to contentious issues and find a new place to rest in peace on them. I think Prince George, as a result, is a national leader for its progressive, inclusive and welcoming environment and, contrary to what a Toronto based survey may say about us, is a great place to call home, especially if you are different.
Tess Healy
Prince George
