As Canadians prepare to cast their ballots in the federal election on April 28, members of Manitoba’s LGBTQ2 community say they’re hopeful the nation’s next leader will push for further progress toward equality and acceptance, and that supportive voices will outnumber the hateful ones.
For some living in socially conservative corners of the province, the struggle is ongoing, but as the president of southern Manitoba’s Pembina Valley Pride says, there have been some positive signs of progress.
Pauline Emerson-Froebe told Global Winnipeg she was born in the region but grew up in the United States. She moved back to Canada with her wife after the 2016 U.S. election, immersing herself in the community in Manitoba.
“Here has been a little more challenging because it is a very conservative area, socially conservative,” Emerson-Froebe said.
“And we do get some threats. We do get community pushback. But for the most part, that’s …