Mayor Kennedy Stewart has released a statement condemning the demonstration by an "anti-gay" preacher in the West End.
In a statement entitled, "Mayor's Statement on Anti-2SLGBTQ+ Preacher," Stewart writes that "[h]ate directed toward Vancouver's 2SLGBTQ+ community will not be tolerated."
Stewart goes on to say that the Anti-2SLGBTQ+ Preacher and his associated are not welcome in the city: "The harm and violence they cause to the 2SLGBTQ+ community [does] not reflect the Vancouver we know or want."
The mayor adds: "Words are not enough. Action is needed."
Stewart states that he is consulting with members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community as well as the Attorney General of B.C. to put policies in place that address the hate and harm caused by the Anti-2SLGBTQ+ preacher and his associates.
The anti-2SLGBTQ+ preaching that has been occurring in the Davie Village is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I’m hearing from the community and working to put in place policies to address the harm that has been caused. Hate has no place in Vancouver. #vanpoli pic.twitter.com/9wKfP4MgK3
— Kennedy Stewart (@kennedystewart) September 3, 2020
On Monday night, Toronto-based David Lynn, head of Christ's Forgiveness Ministries, took to Sunset Beach to preach his beliefs. However, he wasn't greeted with open arms.
Dozens of members of the gay community and their supporters gathered around Lynn to protest his demonstration. They donned rainbow colours, held painted signs, and chanted throughout the evening.
The "anti-gay" demonstration took place following an incident where a man's leg was broken during a confrontation with anti-gay street preachers in the West End.
In a series of Tweets, Sportsnet 650 host Justin Morissette writes that "anti-gay evangelical bullies in the West End" purposefully broke his leg because he told them to stop chanting. He adds that he is going to, "have metal plates in [his] leg for the rest of [his] life."
Since the assault, an online campaign to support Morissette's recovery has raised over $53,000.
