Kelowna-Lake Country MP Tracy Gray is being asked not to attend Pride events in the future.

The Kelowna Task Force to Ban Conversion Therapy sent a letter to Kelowna Pride Society asking it to advise Gray that she is not welcome at this yearsa国际传媒檚 Pride Festival. The letter also requests Kelowna Pride Society to establish guidelines regarding the participation of political parties and elected representatives at Pride events.

sa国际传媒淧ride isnsa国际传媒檛 about uncritically including every individual or group. Pride is about uplifting, celebrating, and protecting the rights of 2S-LGBTQIA+ people. When an individual, organization, or institution has engaged in behaviour that is detrimental and discriminatory toward our community, they should no longer be welcome,sa国际传媒� read the letter.

sa国际传媒淗er future actions and accountability plan on matters that impact the 2S-LGBTQIA+ community should be taken into consideration before welcoming her to future events,sa国际传媒� the task force added.

READ MORE: Kelowna-Lake Country MP Tracy Gray taken to task for vote against conversion therapy ban

In response, Kelowna Pride Society said it will not further comment until the board has had a chance to review and discuss.

sa国际传媒淲e only just received the email late last night. It has been shared with our board and we will be discussing it shortly,sa国际传媒� said society general manager Dustyn Baulkham.

The letter comes after the task force took Gray to task for voting against Bill C-6, a bill that would ban conversion therapy across the country. Conversion therapy is a blanket term that refers to dangerous and discredited practices that aim to change someonesa国际传媒檚 sexual orientation or gender identity.

Gray and 61 other Conservative MPs voted against the bill, with some saying the wording of the bill makes it appear as if having a conversation between parents and their children about sexuality is illegal.

The task force also sent a letter to Gray on July 26 demanding a public apology and called Graysa国际传媒檚 allyship sa国际传媒減erformative.sa国际传媒� Gray has yet to respond to the task forcesa国际传媒檚 statements and letters.

sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 really important for there to be engagement from our political representatives or candidates. Theresa国际传媒檚 a possibility of a fall election and itsa国际传媒檚 really important for our community to engage with the candidates and see where they are with issues like this,sa国际传媒� said Advocacy Canada founder Wilbur Turner.

Black Press Media reached out to Gray for comment on the matter several times but has not received a response.

READ MORE: LGBTQ2S+ coalition demands public apology from Kelowna-Lake Country MP

paula.tran@kelownacapnews.com
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