To the Hater, Welcome to Yellowknife

Disclaimer: The following post is based on here say. I do not have all the facts and the facts I do have, may not be the facts at all.

It is with open arms and an open heart that I welcome you. Yellowknife is one of the best places to live on this planet. People are friendly, caring, intelligent and well traveled. Although the cost of living is high, there are many, many, jobs to be had. Did you know the average age of Yk is about 32 yrs old? This city is young, vibrant and well connected to the world and to itself. I hope you enjoy your stay here however long it may be.

While in Yk, please refrain from hating. Oooops! Too late...

Here's what happened (well, as best I know anyway):

You are new to town. You moved from Alberta to work with power lines or some other blue collar work. Thanks so much for relocating to help with our infrastructure projects. Yk has a shortage of manual labour (you see, we prefer to suckle at the teet of government coffers, hence the abundance of gov jobs available), and moving projects to completion takes tooooooo much time. Seeing that you are only 28 or so and VERY good looking, you should fit right in. But, of course, you aren't....so far. And be careful, cuz Yk is an unforgiving place. Labels stick!

You see, it all has to do with what you did; not what you think or believe. Everyone in this city is free to think and believe what they wish. People's thoughts are just that...thoughts. It is your actions that are hateful and unacceptable.

From what I hear, you have purchased a rental property in Yk. My friends signed a lease with you and you accepted and cashed in their damage deposit cheque. You then changed your mind and refused them as tenants. You also refused to return the damage deposit you took. That's against the law, sir. You entered a legally binding contract. You can't unilaterally break the contract; there must be agreement on both sides. So what you did was unlawful. So where does the hate come in? Well, the only reason you refused them was the fact that the new tenants are gay.

Tsk. Tsk, Tsk. *wagging finger* Is what you did kind? Is it friendly? Is it intelligent? Is that the kind of person you want to be in this community? What would Yk be like if everyone behaved like you did?

The court case my friends launched to get their money back is happening this week. From what I hear, you will not be there during the proceedings. Apparently, you are in the Philippines. Are you looking for a wife? Could that be true? Are you really there for that? And should you return with a wife, what kind of life will you provide for her? Will she be able to join the Filipino Association here in town? I certainly hope you are not planing on importing a slave of some kind. Trust me! Everyone will have something to say about that!

This week, you will have to answer to the unlawful actions you choose to do. The rental court will make sure of that. Unfortunately, not by your own will. You will be forced to pay back the money. You will be ordered by a judge to do so. The law is the law.

So, what of the hateful thing you chose to do? You know, the part where you denied housing to someone solely based on the fact that they are born gay? Well, there is a Humans' Right case launched against you, too. The hearing is set for the fall. Again, you will be told that your actions are hateful and unlawful, and you will be ordered to pay some type of damage. Unless, of course, you choose to admit that what you did was wrong, and make it up to my friends. You are still free to think and believe what you want. No one is saying that you cannot think gays are bad or wrong. What is being said is that you are responsible for your actions and certain actions are just unacceptable in Canadian society.

Hate is against the law...period!