Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger lends support to gay restaurant owners

It is difficult to claim that having two openly gay restaurant owners chased out of town would be positive in any way for Manitoba, but at least it has given residents and leaders a chance to stand up and show support for equality, and demand it of others.

Earlier this week it was reported that Dave Claringbould and his partner, the owners of Pots N Hands restaurant in Morris, Man., would close just four months after opening because they were the target of homophobic attacks.

After news broke that the small-mindedness of a handful of the town's residents had caused such damage, others stepped forward to show the couple support.

Premier Greg Selinger joined the flock on Thursday, announcing support for the pair and saying he would visit the restaurant while in the area preparing for the spring flood.

[ Related: Attacks prompt gay owners to close Manitoba restaurant ]

It was a strong, proud declaration. And one, it should be noted, that was echoed by the province’s opposition leader Brian Pallister.

“It’s always disappointing when people conduct themselves in a way that doesn’t reflect the reality that you should treat other people like you yourself would be treated,” Pallister told the Canadian Press.

But perhaps the strongest stance was taken by Morris Mayor Gavin van der Linde, who has been vocal in his disappointment over the views expressed by a few town members. (One person reportedly asked Claringbould if they could catch diseases from dishes he had handled.)

But van der Linde’s disappointment went beyond the prejudices of certain residents and on to the way his town of 1,800 people were being perceived.

In a statement, he wrote:

In an earlier post, this writer expressed faith that“neighbourly grace and civility” would eventually outshine the bad apples, and that appears to be the case. It is a shame it comes too late to be of much solace to Claringbould and his partner.