By Canadian Press

Poilievre and Smith say they don’t agree with ‘straight pride’ message in photos at Stampede

Jul 10, 2023 | 2:49 PM

OTTAWA — A spokesperson for Pierre Poilievre says the federal Conservative leader does not agree with the message of “straight pride,” after he was photographed with a man wearing a T-shirt bearing those words.

Sebastian Skamski says Poilievre had been posing with “hundreds of people” at the Calgary Stampede on Saturday when he was photographed with an individual “without reading what was written on his shirt.”

The bright green T-shirt featured the symbols for men and women that are often posted to the doors of public restrooms.

It says “Thank a straight person today for your existence,” in black capital letters, with “straight pride” written at the bottom.

Skamski says that “Poilievre does not agree with the message displayed on the T-shirt,” adding that Conservatives are working to build a country where everyone is free to be themselves, “regardless of their sexual orientation.”

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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was also photographed alongside a Stampede attendee wearing a straight pride t-shirt.

The shirt reads, “Thank a straight person today for your existence,” with the words “straight pride” written below.

Smith’s press secretary, Sam Blackett, said the premier “obviously doesn’t agree with the message,” and that she has always been clear that she supports those in the LGBTQ community.

Blackett adds that Smith did not see what was written on the person’s shirt.

The Alberta NDP accused Smith of having a history of “amplifying messages of hate and intolerance.”

Poilievre and other political leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, kept up the tradition of joining pancake breakfasts and other public events at Stampede over the weekend.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2023.

The Canadian Press

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