West Enders angry over Spencer Chandra Herbert not being first openly gay premier

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      Supporters of Spencer Chandra Herbert are feeling miffed after learning that the Vancouver–West End NDP MLA is not Canada's first openly gay premier.

      One member of the NDP caucus contacted by the Straight insisted that Chandra Herbert has far superior credentials for this honour than Kathleen Wynne, a lesbian just anointed as premier-designate of Ontario.

      "Spencer's smarter than her, Spencer's wittier than her, Spencer's better-read than her, and Spencer dresses better than her," said the politician, who insisted on anonymity. "Hell, have you ever seen Kathleen Wynne wear a hat like Spence? There's no comparison."

      Over at Little Sisters Book & Art Emporium, a customer erupted in a rant after hearing news of Wynne's victory in the Ontario Liberal leadership race.

      "That's bullshit," he declared. "She's a politician who doesn't make a big deal out of her sexual orientation. Spence, on the other hand, isn't afraid to be loud and proud. Did you see him at last year's Pride parade? He was one hot sailor boy."

      At the Fountainhead Pub on Davie Street, there was even more grumbling. One patron noted that Chandra Herbert introduced a private member's bill in the legislature to try to get the Human Rights Code extended to cover transgender people.

      "When the hell has Kathleen Wynne ever done anything like that?" he snorted in disgust.

      Another man in the bar pointed out that Chandra Herbert is his party's tourism critic, whereas Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty never gave Wynne an economic portfolio.

      "How do we know that she can even count?" he asked.

      Up the street at the India Bistro, one staff member highlighted the fact that Chandra Herbert has far more insights into her community than Wynne ever had.

      "I bet that Ontario politician doesn't even know who Shahrukh Khan is," she said. "Spence, on the other hand, can talk at length about Indian cinema. He had phenomenal insights into Kareena's performance in Talaash."

      The NDP tourism critic is apparently taking the disappointing news in stride. According to one unnamed source, his partner Romi consoled Chandra Herbert by noting that Wynne still hasn't been elected by the public to the top job.

      "You can still become Canada's first openly gay elected premier," Romi reportedly said.

      Comments

      6 Comments

      Bradley F

      Jan 28, 2013 at 12:57pm

      So much for celebrating success and progress. Canada's first openly gay premier is named and there is nothing in this story except complaints from the LGBT community. I'm sure people in Ontario really care who people in BC think should be their premier. I won't pretend to know who of the two would make a better premier, but but the tone and content of this blog suggests it should have been the person with the most outspoken LGBT rights record. I'm sure of other qualifications and attributes were considered for Ontario's highest political office.

      sexist much?

      Jan 28, 2013 at 3:19pm

      Okay, so she doesn't make a big deal about her orientation. Does it always have to be about who is more out than the other? Does she have to turn in her gay card now, since she doesn't put as much focus on lgbt issues? Why do they feel qualified to bash her like she's some flake out to prove something? Do you know where she went to school? What her GPA was? Who gives a fuck how she dresses? Look at Christy Clark or Hilary Pantsuit Clinton, neither of them look like Michelle Obama or Jacky O either. Wynne obviously did something right if she is higher up than Herbert.

      Charlie Smith

      Jan 28, 2013 at 3:37pm

      Hint hint...this article was designed as satire, and not to be taken entirely seriously.

      Charlie Smith

      Rick Barnes

      Jan 31, 2013 at 12:44pm

      Good one Charlie! I just read it and was howling all the way through.

      Fred Lush

      Jan 31, 2013 at 1:40pm

      If you mean gay as in gay male,we do not have a gay premier.But gay is inclusive,Kathleen Wynne identifies as gay.So we do have a open gay premier.Just happens to be a gay woman.

      Trailer Tranny

      Jan 31, 2013 at 2:17pm

      Yea was not really amused. Just confused. Better luck next time trying the "Funny Satire Thing" Charlie