LGBQ Legislators in Canadian Politics: Out to Represent

Description

This book considers the impact that the increasing number of LGBQ politicians in Canada has had on the political representation of LGBTQ people and communities. Based on analysis of parliamentary speeches and interviews with 28 out LGBQ parliamentarians in Canada between 2017 and 2020, Tremblay shows how out LGBQ MLAs and MPs take advantage of their intermediary position between the LGBTQ movement and the state to represent LGBTQ people and communities. For example, the politicians in this study introduce pro-LGBTQ bills, lobby cabinet ministers, act as a bridge between LGBTQ groups and the civil service, and give talks in schools about their identities. Most importantly, they act as role models for LGBTQ people (particularly children and teens) and contribute to lifting the social stigma around sexuality and gender identity. This latest volume in our Sustainable Development Goals series underlines that SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) can only be accomplished with political representation for the LGBTQ community and minority groups in general. Foreword Preface Reference Acknowledgments Praise for LGBQ Legislators in Canadian Politics Contents List of Tables 1 Introduction Main Argument and Theoretical Foundations LGBTQ Advocacy Work in Institutional Politics Literature Review Methodological and Terminological Clarifications Methodological Details Terminological Clarifications Structure of the Book References 2 Some Theoretical Insights for Thinking About LGBTQ Political Representation Formalistic Views of Representation “Standing for” and “Acting for” Perspectives “Standing for” Representation Symbolic Representation Descriptive Representation “Acting for” Representation Conclusion References 3 Formalistic Representation On the Institutional Context: Some Features Conceptions of Political Representation “What Does Political Representation Mean to You?” Constituency Work Legislative Work “Do Openly Lesbian and Gay Representatives Have a Particular Responsibility to Represent LGBT People and Communities in Canada?” Arguments Opposing LGBTQ Representation Arguments Supporting LGBTQ Representation Can Allies Contribute to LGBTQ Representation? Conclusion References 4 “Standing for” Representation: LGBQ Politicians as Symbolic Agents Symbolic Representation: Some Theoretical Insights Coming Out Role Model Out LGBQ MLAs and MPs as Role Models How Do LGBQ MLAs and MPs Perform Their Role-Model Functions? What Emotions Do Out LGBQ MLAs and MPs Arouse? Conclusion References 5 “Standing for” Representation: LGBQ Politicians and Descriptive Representation The Proportion of Out LGBQ Parliamentarians Legislative Recruitment Process Eligibility Recruitment Selection Election The Profile of Out LGBQ MLAs and MPs in Canada Conclusion References 6 Substantive Representation: “Acting for” Discourses of LGBTQ Representation Discourse and Speech: A Definition How Do LGBQ MLAs and MPs Constitute LGBTQ People and Communities? The Figure of Stigma The Figure of Resilience The Figure of Cultural Citizenship How Do Openly LGBQ MLAs and MPs Constitute the State in Its Relationship with LGBTQ People and Communities? Human Rights Discourse Homoprotectionist Discourse Homofederalist Discourse Homonationalist Discourse Conclusion References 7 Substantive Representation: “Acting for” Practices of LGBTQ Representation Review of the Literature Some Methodological Details Legislative Work Practices Related to the Legislative Function Practices Related to the Administrative Accountability and Budgetary Functions Constituency Work Conclusion References 8 Conclusion References Index