I am attending, via Zoom, the Online 2SLGBTQAI+ Townhall/Debate organized by @GLBA_of_BC @QMUNITY and @rainbowrefugee . It is being moderated by @char_des and just opened with the most beautiful Land Recognition I have ever seen/heard.

First up is @NicESpurling who is running for the @BCGreens in Coquitlam-Maillardville and is detailing her very impressive background of community involvement, advocacy and activism. (Also, YouTube!)

The @bcliberals candidate @EllacottJon running in Vancouver - West End is talking now and sharing that the BC Liberals love all British Columbians.

@SChandraHerbert is representing @bcndp and opens discussing reconciliation and sharing his excitement for what lies ahead and his background over the last 9 years as an MLA for Vancouver - West End/Coal Harbour. Runs out of time discussing Trans Health Care.

@char_des opens up with the "Elephant in the Room" about how parties have been handling hateful views/comments have been impacting Gender and Sexually Diverse British Columbians. Turns it over to @EllacottJon as the @bcliberals candidates seem to be the ones stepping in it.

@EllacottJon shares that @Wilkinson4BC loves every single British Columbian for who they are and communicates that we need to move forward and are representative of every religion and this can't be obfuscated by negative press.

@NicESpurling calls for leaders who are proactive and not reactionary. Calls @Wilkinson4BC for being reluctant to take action. Also, takes aim at @nathancullen re: comments about Indigenous candidate.

@SChandraHerbert says the hate has been brutal to see and that the response has been wishy washy specific to Throness and his candidacy in Chilliwack as it has happened again and again. Suggests that leaders lead and they need to take a stand and @Wilkinson4BC has not.

A question re: lack of resources for Trans patients with regards to pre: care.

@SChandraHerbert talks about bottom surgery and the burden of flying to Montreal for initial surgery or revisions. Also, mentions top surgery though the rest of the province. References an off side comment from a previous Minister of Health and agrees that more needs to be done

(Side note: the pre-surgery requirements for bottom surgery require electrolysis of the scrotum for example.)

@EllacottJon says this an issue that has not received proper attention and everyone should have access to the resources they need to realize their identity. The @bcliberals plan to double the budget for this?

@NicESpurling discusses her personal experience of GCS and flying to YUL. (Not pleasant being on a plane post surgery.) The @BCGreens is fully committed to fully funding the process to include other surgeries and include HRT medication.

(FYI, Canada has national healthcare but not pharmacare. My HRT costs me about $100 a month with no benefits.)

A question from @GLBA_of_BC regarding the support of expansion of LGBTQ2S business locally and globally?

The @bcliberals view is that they want to support entrepreneurship through a number of proposals such as PST, Split Assessments etc.

The @bcndp candidate talks procurement with the Provincial Gov to open opportunity to smaller or community based businesses like agricultural and tech businesses as well as film and TV to tell BC based stories. (haven't done this since the 90's) My thought, Madison comes back?

@NicESpurling talks about the @BCGreens discusses the difficulty of supporting all business but the issues of collecting better data to lift up LGBTQ2S businesses. (Side note, she is a business owner herself.) As well, discusses retraining and education for transition to future

Next question from @rainbowrefugee

Housing can be unaffordable and unsafe... what would you do to create safe/affordable housing for LGBQT2S refugees?

First up to answer is @NicESpurling and says Police Act reform would be first up after @bcndp cancelled prior to election as well as basic income, task force to modernize employment, new legislation for access, grants for households paying more than 30% of income to rent

@NicESpurling discusses including mental health to MSP and Indigenous Education with a multi-pronged approach for LGBTQ2S refugees.

@SChandraHerbert discusses difficulty of bring partners/family of refugees and witnessed the difficulty up front and that the answer is investing in housing. 25K for middle/lower income folks as well as supports like mental health like $10mm for low cost/no cost counselling.

He shares some numbers re: The @bcliberals not building as much in 16 years as the 25K the @bcndp have in a shorter time.

@EllacottJon states that this is not a partisan issues and landlords who discriminate against LGBTQ2S people should be punished.

Next from @rainbowrefugee discusses the disturbing death of a refugee in Toronto (I missed the name, so sorry). BIPOC people are not served with a lack of trauma informed/intersectional support... What would your party do to provide culturally accessible/on going support?

@SChandraHerbert discusses the gap in our healthcare system with regards to mental health including youth mental health and refugees from other places and that the @bcndp has provided more services for young people across the province. (Mentions Riverview but not clear there.)

The @bcliberals candidate @EllacottJon says we need to listen to community health experts and approach problems with pragmatism.

@NicESpurling shares a personal experience with mental health. The problem is compounded by income and that barriers are in place and not everyone has access. She shares that the @BCGreens will be rolling mental health into MSP. As well, references Police Act reform again.

@SChandraHerbert wants to respond re: systemic racism and Police Act reform. States that this is important work and that mental health professionals need to respond to mental issues and not Police.

Next question is: what is your plan to implementing the UNDRIP?

@EllacottJon says that BC must act boldly and that the @bcliberals are committed to working with indigenous people with regards to land use decisions and existing cases.

@SChandraHerbert discusses the aspect of UNDRIP re: how the @bcndp brought leaders together to deal with colonial past/legacy and the importance of doing it together and that now comes action. [While saying goodnight to his son :-)] Discusses control of salmon stock, forestry

@SChandraHerbert continues that there is hard work and mistakes will be made but we don't fix 150 years of colonialism over night but something that we have to do.

@NicESpurling makes the point that reconciliation has to be an aspect of everything we do and not just a buzzword. References: SiteC taking from Indigenous lead energy, CGL, LNG, Fracking, Subsidies being done without consent/consultation. Cites We'suwet'en.

Next question re: SOGI education being inconsistent at schools. What will you party do to improve sexual health education for all British Columbians?

The @BCGreens are proposing 20% increase to education including SOGI education. @NicESpurling wants to mandate SOGI education in school including in school counselling and references free child care. She does in school education herself.

@SChandraHerbert discusses personal experience in Surrey with GSA/SOGI in the schools and current @bcliberals candidate. Wants to re-establish HRC in BC and investing in schools.

@EllacottJon has two minutes: says @bcliberals supports SOGI education and that school is an awkward time for anyone. The entire school benefits from LGBTQ inclusion.

@QMUNITY has a question: what would your party do to counter conversion therapy?