Bloc says OUI to gay rights


   Bloc Quebecois leader Lucien Bouchard asked Bloc MP Gilles
Duceppe to respond to the EGALE questionnaire on his behalf.
Duceppe is the MP for Laurier-Sainte-Marie, a riding that includes
Montreal's gay village.
   We were particularly anxious to receive the Bloc's response. As
a relatively young party, it has previously given little indication
of its position on these issues.
   If Duceppe's response represents official party policy, then the
Bloc is one of the most progressive parties on sexual orientation
issues. He replied with a clear YES to 14 out of 17 questions. (See
chart on page x.)
   Mr. Duceppe does not support special breast cancer programs
targeted at lesbians. He also says the Bloc does not consider
sexual orientation as a factor in candidate recruitment.
   We hope that Mr. Duceppe can convince his leader and his fellow
Bloc candidates to speak out on lesbigay issues in this election
campaign.