Last night, history was made as Kathleen Wynne won out against her opponent, Sandra Pupatello in a third-ballot victory at the Liberal leadership convention, giving Ontario our first female, openly gay Premier.
But what I found most liberating is that those two points I just highlighted are not the highest topic of discussion. Yes, it has been a historical moment for those of us fighting for gender and LGBTQ equality, but it's not overblowing the political issues at stake.
I find there are stages of media and societal attention with bringing these topics into the spotlight.
There is total ignorance and blindsiding - where the media refuses to acknowledge women and LGBTQ members at all, or very minimally, out of fear and prejudice. The risk of 'exposing' people to the thought that it is okay for women and gays to hold such powerful roles in society. The media keeps it quiet in an 'out of sight, out of mind' type of policy.
There is the 'coming out' stage, where the only thing the media focuses on is gender or sexual orientation. We saw a lot of this in the US election this past November with huge headlines focusing on 'The first female this" or "the first gay that" rather than political standings. This can be great exposure to showing progress towards equality.
But then there is another stage to be reached. Where it is public knowledge that a politician is female or gay, and the topic fades into the background again. Not because society is turning a blind eye, but because there is a level of acceptance that can look beyond those labels to the political issues at stake. I feel that is where the large divide between the US and Canada lies.
We are celebrating the history that was made last night for equality, but it's not the headline of every news story. Front pages of newspapers this morning are not simply "GAY FEMALE NEW PREMIER" but rather titles directed at Kathleen Wynne as an individual winning this leadership. Those points are not shunned from the media spotlight entirely - almost every article mentions the 2 facts - but they are not the first things that people are reading. Often further embedded in articles the points come up, but not with the fever and shock value that can be seen in media in the States.
One CBC News article stated:
Wynne said the province is ready to accept an openly gay woman as premier.
"The province has changed, our party has changed. I do not believe that the people of Ontario ... hold that prejudice in their hearts," said Wynne, who is married to Jane Rounthwaite.
There is no questioning or speculation about Wynne's abilities based on her gender or sexual orientation. There are no FOX News debate panels accusing her of sending out the wrong message because of the fact that she is female and gay. Our media journalists know it is pointless to try and spin the story in that direction because Canadians will just react with "Yeah...so?"
We have come to a stage of conditioning where we see these points for what they are: facts. There is no need for debate.
The debates lie within the politics. There is no doubt, Wynne will receive media criticism, there will be questioning of her abilities - but it will be from political and economic stand points about hard-hitting issues for the province's citizens.
The same CBC article finished with:
Jackie Blackett, speaking from Toronto’s gay village, said Wynne represents a refreshing change in Ontario politics.
"I think it’s great,” Blackett told CBC News. "It should be an equal opportunity for everyone. It just shows that society has really progressed. Personally I don't think anyone’s sexual orientation should be a factor."
Today we are celebrating a win for our province, and tomorrow we'll all go back to complaining about the weather.
Referenced: CBC News, It's a Wynne-win for Ontario liberals, January 26, 2013.
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