When I prepared to write my editorial last week, I was steaming mad.

Just hours earlier, on Wednesday, Sept. 20, a massive hate rally had gathered at the Manitoba Legislative Building, part of coordinated anti-2SLGBTQIA+ demonstrations across Canada. While counter-protesters were there, they were vastly outnumbered. I was angry, saddened and feeling hopeless.

I feel more hopeful after this past weekend. On Sunday, Sept. 24, the Rally for Trans Youth was held at the same location, with thousands coming out to show their support for the marginalized folks targeted by the anti-2SLGBTQIA+ rally. We have an article and photo essay by Emily Leedham in this week’s issue covering both rallies.

I’m less sad. I’m more hopeful. But I’m still angry.

Just days ahead of our election, the Manitoba PCs have done nothing to backpedal on their hateful rhetoric that helped stoke these hate rallies. The leader of the federal Conservatives has doubled down on his anti-queer hate. This ramping up of bigotry from establishment right-wing politics is dangerous. It’s violent. And when polls open on Tuesday, Oct. 3, we need to continue to be mad as hell.

We need to be mad at the right-wing’s brazen contempt for marginalized peoples. We need to be angry about their attacks on basic rights like healthcare, their loathing and disregard for the unhoused, those living with addiction, the poor and working class. We need to be angry about their pursuit of profit and violent enforcement of the status quo at the expense of culture, community and basic human decency.

I know I’m not the only Manitoban who’s mad as hell. On Tuesday, we’ll see whether we’re willing to take this anymore.

Published in Volume 78, Number 04 of The Uniter (September 28, 2023)