Setting aside the questionable belief system that could come up with the idea of an injectable serum that turns children gay, the Burnaby municipal elections are once again hit by another strange news item piece in the upcoming municipal elections that are to take place later this month. The rumour going around that there is a serum that might turn your kids gay and that local schools are letting it happen is even more mysterious to comprehend than a mayoral candidate with eccentric platform issues since this mysterious rumour has no name to it.
Spreading mainly around newly arrived Mandarin-speaking immigrants, the rumour first got its wings through flyers and cold-approaches at Bonsor Recreation Centre. As a smear campaign directed against Burnaby Citizens Association and their mayoral candidate, long-term Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, it’s working to a certain degree- informal queries were lobbed at BCA School Board candidate and incumbent school trustee Katrina Chen and Harman Pandher respectively about whether or not it’s true.
The culprits behind the gay serum smear are most likely volunteers for the Burnaby First Coalition although the BFC has outright denied official part in the rumour, with BFC’s mayoral candidate Daren Hancott even pointing the finger back at BCA for instituting what would be a scandalous bit of political sabotage on their end. The BFC, or those who volunteer for the BFC in a third-party advertising capacity, is seen to be responsible as three current BFC candidates running for council and school board positions have participated, in the past, to Parents’ Voice.
A political group formed to oppose Policy 5.45 back in 2011, Parents’ Voice disagreed with Policy 5.45, an anti-homophobic policy designed by the school district right before the municipal elections at the time. Charter Lau, Heather Leung, and Helen Ward were all active in Parents’ Voice, and are currently running in the council and school board elections.
A homophobic rumour seems to fit the sentiments of certain BFC candidates with a past of not accepting others. If the shoe fits.
Written by: Irene Lo
Image via Burnaby Now
