Thursday, October 26, 2006

Canada Post in Vancouver . . . .

Koodoos to the 60 postal workers that took a stand for us!

Another example of the religious wrong's compassion for those of us who don't subscribe to their dogma . . . .


Anti-homosexuality brochure held up at Canada Post
Last Updated: Thursday, October 26, 2006 | 4:18 PM PT CBC News


Canada Post says a controversial religious brochure that condemns homosexuality will be delivered to hundreds of homes in East Vancouver, despite the objections of letter carriers.

The 28-page pamphlet is published by a fundamentalist Baptist group based in Ontario, and condemns homosexuality as ungodly, unhealthy and unnatural.

Vancouver mail sorter Andy Henderson was the first person at his postal station to notice the pamphlet and was shocked by what he read.

"The first words I saw when I picked it up were: 'The plague of this 21st Century: the consequences of the sin of homosexuality (AIDS).' "

He and the other postal employees say they consider it hate mail and have refused to handle it.

"You wouldn't be able to find one television station that would accept this ad mail as a 30-second advertising spot," said Henderson. "And yet Canada Post will take it. And their point is, 'If it's legal, we'll deliver it.' "

The man who sent the brochures, Rev. Sterling Clark of Waterdown, Ont., told CBC News he was "disappointed" with the postal workers and asserted he hadn't broken any laws.

Clark said he had a contract with Canada Post and regularly sends brochures to several Canadian cities.

Workers stage protest

Canada Post management told the workers on Wednesday that it's not in the business of censorship, and said the letters would be delivered.

That stance prompted about 60 postal workers at the Canada Post plant in downtown Vancouver to hold a short protest Thursday morning.

"So the employees walked out of this facility because most people are deeply offended by the nature of the literature," said union local president Ken Mooney.

He told CBC News that the workers have since returned to their jobs, waiting to see what management is going to do next.

"I'm now told they're not going to force us to handle this mail. So they've backed off a little bit. So we're just waiting to see how this plays out."

Brochures 'deemed appropriate'

Canada Post spokeswoman Colleen Frick says the company has a contract to deliver the brochure and it will do just that.

She notes that it was "deemed acceptable and appropriate for mailing under the Canada postal guide.

"The criteria is very specific. And if something is not deemed obscene in nature, then the item will be acceptable for mailing. And this particular item was deemed appropriate. So it will be delivered."

The union says management has now indicated that the brochures will be put in envelopes and delivered by management personnel.

Our thanks and appreciation go out to those postal workers that took a stand for equality in our future home. One more reason to look forward to making it our permanent home . . . . Sure hope it's soon!


6 comments:

Tom said...

That is great. I love Canada more and more each day!

Heck, let's all apply for Canadian Post jobs when we get there! ;O)

West End Bob said...

Works for me - there's an office just across the street from our strata (condo)!

West End Bob said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Daniel wbc said...

I'm torn about this issue. On the one hand, I am deeply appreciative and impressed that these postal workers -- who one presumes are not all LGBT -- are concerned about this hate speech.

On the other hand, I am a great believer in free speech and know only too well that it could be us on the other side of this issue. (I think of Margaret Sanger and her fights with the U.S. Postal Service to disseminate information about birth control.) I would rather think of creative ways to counter this hate than to not allow it. It's a freedom issue, but also it only feeds the Right to try and suppress them.

JMHO.

gito said...

It does feel beautiful to live in a country where even the supermarket carts have emergency brakes!!! geez. Hang on tight! Canada awaits you!

laura k said...

(I think of Margaret Sanger and her fights with the U.S. Postal Service to disseminate information about birth control.)

Yes, I thought of the same thing.

The postal workers taking a stance is a great and heartening thing. But I don't want anyone deciding what mail can be delivered.

I oppose the anti-hate-speech laws. I don't feel the government should restrict speech for any reason. Once speech is restricted for some, you or I could become that "some".