Gay pride backlash

A gay rights coalition has launched a campaign for recognition in cities and towns across B.C. Rainbow B.C. wants smaller communities to follow the lead of the City of Vancouver and make gay pride day proclamations.

But some mayors don't like the way they've been approached. They say the group is using legal threats and strong-arm tactics to get what it wants.

Rainbow B.C. spokesperson barbara findlay (sic) says a letter went to 182 B.C. mayors requesting gay pride proclamations. The letter also threatens legal action if a community doesn't cooperate.

"To say you won't make this proclamation is discriminatory, so in the event of refusals, we would have no choice but to file human rights complaints," she says.

Some mayors, like Steve Thorlakson of Fort St. John say they'll make the proclamation, but only grudgingly, "I don't know anybody that likes having a legal gun pointed at their head in advance."

This isn't the first time gay pride proclamations have stirred up controversy. In March, the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal ruled against the City of Kelowna and Mayor Walter Gray for removing the word "pride" from their proclamation in 1997.

And next month, the town of Oliver and Mayor Linda Larson go before the tribunal for refusing to make the proclamation.

Thorlakson says he can't afford to refuse, "I know in the case of Kelowna, that it cost that community to defend its right of freedom of expression,well over $100,000."

Rainbow B.C says about 35 towns have agreed to make proclamations so far.