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.
Author(s): Manon Tremblay
Series: Sustainable Development Goals Series, 16
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 388
City: Cham
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
