Del Duca defends fourth candidate under fire
Author of the article:Antonella Artuso
Publishing date:May 13, 2022 • 1 day ago • 1 minute read • 28 Comments
An Ontario Liberal candidate has apologized for “flippant” language he used while writing an opinion piece for his university newspaper on a LGBTOUT grant.
Noel Semple, the candidate for Etobicoke Centre, said he was disappointed and “deeply embarrassed” about the 2004 article that appeared in University of Toronto’s Varsity publication.
“As a young and naive student, I never intended to hurt people, but wrote provocatively, with flippant language,” Semple said in a statement Friday. “2SLGBTQ+ people are without question an equity-deserving and underrepresented community in our society. 2SLGBTQ+ identity is rich and complex — not a ‘set of sexual behaviour patterns.’ It was ignorant of me to suggest otherwise, and in the 18 years between when I wrote this op-ed and now, I have better acquainted myself with the true nature of homophobia and anti-2SLGBTQ+ discrimination, and committed myself to fighting it.”
Liberal Leader Del Duca, who has fired three candidates so far during this campaign, said his party stands for tolerance of everyone but he stood by his candidate.
“Enough is enough. Eighteen years ago, Noel Semple wrote an article in a student paper opposing a new student levy,” Del Duca said. “In the same article he denounced homophobes as scumbags. He is not and was not a homophobe. He is a distinguished law professor and will be a great MPP.”
The Liberal Party is promising to fund HIV PrEP and other medications to stay healthy, as well as supportive housing for the community, he said.
“The Ontario Liberal Party that I lead, that I’m proud to lead, is a strong strong supporter and ally and champion for the rights of every single Ontarian, including those in the 2SLGBTQ+ communities,” Del Duca said.
aartuso@postmedia.com
An Ontario Liberal candidate has apologized for "flippant" language he used while writing an opinion piece.
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