mom-takes-action-on-homophobia

Witnessing the struggles her gay daughter went through firsthand, a Calgary mother has launched a campaign aimed at stemming homophobic hate among some youth.

Gail, who asked to withhold her last name to protect her daughter’s identity, said her 15-year-old has been subjected to homophobic remarks.

She also says she knows two gay friends who were assaulted aboard a C-Train.

“Calgary isn’t always known to be the most accepting city,” she said.

“But there is this section of beautiful people that are coming up … we have to honour that part of our society, I think.”

To do just that, Gail went to work on the ad campaign in May.

Next month, her efforts will pay off, as messages will be posted to the interior of Calgary Transit buses and CTrains.

They will also appear on three digital billboards located near major thoroughfares.

Support group Calgary Outlink has joined on to help organize the campaign.

“The slogans were voted on by the youth,” spokesperson Trent Warner said.

“We thought a message from youth-to-youth was the best way to handle it.”

Gail encourages others to lend their support and offer their own messages of tolerance.

“I don’t want us to all be the same,” she said.

“It would be too dull of a world.”

For more information, email info@calgaryoutlink.ca.