Vancouver Pride joins calls for ejection of Liberal caucus member over ads

VICTORIA – Calls are rising for the BC Liberals to throw out one of its members from caucus amid allegations of homophobia and transphobia, while party Leader Andrew Wilkinson remains silent on the issue.

Laurie Throness, MLA for Chilliwack-Kent, has come under fire for telling media he will continue to buy advertising in a Christian magazine that has published articles supporting the discredited practice of conversion therapy for LGTBQ people.

The Vancouver Pride Society says it will revoke the parade status of the party if no action is taken against Throness by Monday.

The society joins New Democrat MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert in saying Throness should not be responsible for vulnerable children as the Liberal's critic for children and families if he supports the abusive practice.

Chandra Herbert says he has not received a response from Wilkinson since sending him a letter on the issue Wednesday.

Wilkinson and Throness have not returned repeated requests for comment, although Wilkinson did release a recorded statement this week saying it's a condition of being part of caucus that there's no room for discrimination.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2020.