Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is wishing LGBTQ people a happy Pride month, linking it with his platform鈥檚 focus on freedom, but he is not saying whether he鈥檒l be attending any Pride events.

The Opposition leader also joined a weeklong chorus of condemnation of Uganda鈥檚 plan to jail gender and sexual minorities.

鈥淚 wish everyone a happy Pride month, because our freedom is something in which all of us can take pride,鈥� Poilievre told reporters in Winnipeg on Friday morning (June 2).

LGBTQ groups across North America celebrate June as Pride month, although festivals and parades happen throughout the summer in different Canadian cities.

When asked whether he鈥檇 march in any Pride parades, Poilievre instead talked about the values of choice and openness.

He said that for LGBTQ people, this includes 鈥渢he freedom to marry, start a family, raise kids; freedom from bigotry and bashing; freedom to be judged by personal character, not by group identity; freedom to start a life and be judged on your merit.鈥�

He also said Canada should continue to resettle LGBTQ refugees from abroad.

His comments come as conservative groups in the U.S. take aim at LGBTQ people, such as by blocking access to gender-affirming care for transgender people or protesting drag queen performances.

When asked about a Uganda law that allows judges to jail people for up to 10 years for same-sex relations, Poilievre called the legislation 鈥渙utrageous and appalling.鈥� He noted that former prime minister Stephen Harper鈥檚 Conservative government had been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ people.

Poilievre鈥檚 comments on the Uganda bill come four days after condemnation from members of his caucus, as well as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and numerous MPs from various parties.

Foreign Affairs Minister M茅lanie Joly spoke against the bill on Monday, noting that it includes the death penalty for certain offences.

鈥淭he reversal of human rights that this law represents is deeply concerning, and we are disturbed by the heinous forms of violence it legalizes against a segment of Uganda鈥檚 population, only because of who they are and who they love,鈥� she wrote in a statement.

鈥淭his act is a blatant violation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of LGBTQ+ Ugandans. It exposes them to systematic persecution, oppression, violence, including the possibility of life terms in prison and the death penalty.鈥�

Joly said the Liberals will work with groups in the region to respond to the bill.

The Equal Rights Coalition, a group of 42 countries including Canada, said the bill includes draconian punishments and will harm programs aimed at shoring up health, echoing concerns from HIV-prevention groups.

The Dignity Network, a coalition of 61 non-governmental Canadian groups that advocate for LGBTQ rights abroad, says it鈥檚 working with contacts in Uganda to scope out how Ottawa and grassroots organizations can respond.

The group says that Canada should have a special envoy, similar to the U.S., who can monitor LGBTQ rights around the world and speak out when people are under threat.

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press

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