Date:         Fri, 30 Sep 1994 14:30:02 -0400

[ Send all responses to Robert_Riley@galaxy.com only. All responses to the
list or list owner will be returned! ]

PM CLAMPS LID ON ANTI-GAY TALK
Dissension hurts party, he warns

From:  The Toronto Star
           September 29, 1994
By:      Tim Harper
           Ottawa Bureau

OTTAWA  --  One day after publicly backing the right of his MPs to state
their opinions, Prime Minister Jean Chretien moved behind closed doors
yesterday to tell them to put a lid on them.

The federal Liberals moved quickly to quiet the anti-gay views voiced by
Nova Scotia MP Roseanne Skoke and Scarborough MP Tom Wappel, in an attempt
to avoid a public split like the one which hurt the Ontario New Democrats
during last spring's emotional debate over same-sex benefits.

To that end, Chretien delivered his message of caucus solidarity yesterday
morning, telling MPs that such dissension is only divisive to the party,
sources said.

Then, in the afternoon, a planted question from Liberal backbencher Sue
Barnes (London West) gave Justice Minister Allan Rock the opening to
reiterate the government's determination to forge ahead with measures
aimed at ending discrimination against homosexuals.

One bill, now being debated in the Commons, would allow harsher sentences
for crimes motivated by hatred against gays.  The government is also
planning to amend the Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination because
of sexual orientation.

As Liberals gave Rock thunderous applause, Skoke sat glumly at her desk in
the House of Commons.

Later, outside the Commons, Rock ruled out a free vote on the sexual
orientation issue in the Commons, meaning the vote will be held along
party lines.

And Wappel issued a news release denying he opposed the hate crime bill,
pointing out the proposed Criminal Code amendment had "many excellent
principles" and nothing that he is in "complete agreement with Prime
Minister Chretien."

"There's not a lot of upside for the party to fight this type of Holy War
publicly," one party source said.

"We know what happened with the NDP in Ontario and to avoid something like
that, you've already seen the results of our labor."

Premier Bob Rae's government failed in its attempt to extend full family
benefits to same-sex couples after a split caucus led to a diluted bill
which embarrassed the party and alienated the gay community.

Two homosexual MPs, New Democrat Svend Robinson and Bloc Quebecois Real
Menard, attacked Chretien Tuesday over his MPs' views.

According to sources, Chretien gave a "rah-rah" speech on the merits of
sticking together.

"He told us to pull together, telling us we can't have these things out in
the open like this, because it's divisive," one source said.

Another described Chretien as firm, but not angry.

The rights code amendment will simply mean Ottawa conforms with eight
provincial human rights acts, some dating back to 1977, Rock said.

Both are government policy and are not subject to free votes, Rock said.

"There are still Liberal members, including myself, who are pressing for a
free vote," Skoke said. "I'm certainly not feeling uncomfortable or under
pressure.  I have the right as a parliamentarian to scrutinize the
legislation and I have done so.  I have the right to express my opinion
quite clearly.  I've stated unequivocally that I'm opposed to the words
'sexual orientation' in any federal legislation and I'm going to continue
to state my opinions."

That, Skoke said, gives homosexuals special status and "opens a door which
cannot be closed," giving gays the right to move against the sanctity of
family.

Skoke said she has support for her views within her caucus.

"Do I look beat up to you?" she said when asked about yesterday's meeting.