An open letter to Rick Mercer
Dear Rick,
I want to thank you for using your voice and position in Canadian society to raise the issues of homophobia and teen suicide.
The movement to gain acceptance for queer and trans people has come a long way in recent decades, but the tragic death of Jamie Hubley illustrates just how far we still have to go. We still live in a society where young people are bullied for simply being who they are to a point where they consider taking and sometimes do take their own lives. This is Canada and it's 2011; aren't we better than all that?
And you were right again when you said that it's not good enough to tell young people to wait until "it gets better," no matter how true this can actually be. We must all do whatever we can to address bullies and those that support them head-on. We must build a climate where it's simply not acceptable to abuse and oppress people.
My name is Fred, and I'm writing you this letter as President of the Ontario Division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees. Our Union has long stood up for human rights, and the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are a big part of that fight.
I am a social worker by trade, and the President of Ontario's largest union. I am also a proud, out, gay leader in our union. I'm proud to work with people who pursue a more just and equitable society. I'm proud of our union's record on human rights, and in advancing the rights of LGBT workers in their workplaces.
There are 230,000 workers in CUPE Ontario and, as public sector workers, all of them have contact with people. Many work in child care centres, in elementary and high schools, in universities, and in municipal youth programs and community agencies that support children and families. I will encourage them all to watch your video and to think about their role in fixing the very problems you highlight. I will work with them to ensure they all become what many of them already are — champions against bullying and guardians of young people — in their communities and their workplaces.
Thank you for your attempts to make something good come from such a tragic event. And for giving us all pause to consider how we must act today to effect positive change within our communities.
Fred Hahn
President, CUPE Ontario
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
I want to thank you for using your voice and position in Canadian society to raise the issues of homophobia and teen suicide.
The movement to gain acceptance for queer and trans people has come a long way in recent decades, but the tragic death of Jamie Hubley illustrates just how far we still have to go. We still live in a society where young people are bullied for simply being who they are to a point where they consider taking and sometimes do take their own lives. This is Canada and it's 2011; aren't we better than all that?
And you were right again when you said that it's not good enough to tell young people to wait until "it gets better," no matter how true this can actually be. We must all do whatever we can to address bullies and those that support them head-on. We must build a climate where it's simply not acceptable to abuse and oppress people.
My name is Fred, and I'm writing you this letter as President of the Ontario Division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees. Our Union has long stood up for human rights, and the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are a big part of that fight.
I am a social worker by trade, and the President of Ontario's largest union. I am also a proud, out, gay leader in our union. I'm proud to work with people who pursue a more just and equitable society. I'm proud of our union's record on human rights, and in advancing the rights of LGBT workers in their workplaces.
There are 230,000 workers in CUPE Ontario and, as public sector workers, all of them have contact with people. Many work in child care centres, in elementary and high schools, in universities, and in municipal youth programs and community agencies that support children and families. I will encourage them all to watch your video and to think about their role in fixing the very problems you highlight. I will work with them to ensure they all become what many of them already are — champions against bullying and guardians of young people — in their communities and their workplaces.
Thank you for your attempts to make something good come from such a tragic event. And for giving us all pause to consider how we must act today to effect positive change within our communities.
Fred Hahn
President, CUPE Ontario
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
