Lesbians are 'hot' pro-oilsands Facebook post removed, apology made
Danielle Nerman | CBC News | Posted: July 26, 2016 3:33 PM | Last Updated: July 26, 2016
‘If I’ve upset half the people I’m trying to reach, then the post was a fail,’ says Robbie Picard
After a storm of backlash, a gay Métis Albertan has removed the pro-oilsands ad he posted to his Facebook page that says lesbians are "hot" and questions why Canada buys oil from countries that mistreat LGBTQ people.
"My goal has always been to include everybody," said Robbie Picard of Fort McMurray, Alta.
"And if I've upset half the people I'm trying to reach, then the post was a fail."
At first, Picard defended the post, saying that he was "OK to take a few shots" if that meant drawing attention to the bigger issue.
"We are getting fuel from countries that butcher gays and lesbians — I mean, butcher them, hang them, publicly beat them."
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'I'm kind of disgusted'
But the image in the ad featuring a stock photo of two women kissing offended many members of the LGBTQ community, including the past president of Calgary Pride.
"In my head I can see what he's doing, but being part of that community, I'm kind of disgusted," said Dallas Barnes, who is now the co-vice-president of InterPride.
"Sure, some girls do look like that, but it's demeaning. It sexualizes," she said.
Picard took down the ad Monday evening from his Canada Oilsands Community Facebook page and posted an apology.
"I apologize for the poster I posted, it was not my intent of demeaning women or any people of any sexual orientation," he wrote. "I certainly don't want to divide our community. I believe in equality and human rights."