Jann Arden speaks out after controversy over Alberta Premier’s photo
Alberta Prime Minister Danielle Smith’s controversial photo posing with a man wearing a straight pride shirt sparked anger from Canadian singer Jann Arden on Thursday.
Smith was photographed with the man at a Calgary Stampede event last weekend, as was federal conservative leader Pierre Poilièvre.
In the photos, the man is wearing a green T-shirt with the words “Thank a straight person for your existence today” and “straight pride” on the front.
Smith’s press secretary, Sam Blackett, said the prime minister had not read the man’s shirt “and clearly disagrees with the message”.
Arden countered Smith’s denial in a Twitter post.
Arden retweeted a video of an interview Smith gave to the CBC’s “Power & Politics.”
When asked about the photo, Smith told the CBC that she supports the LGBT community.
“I’m not going to be a political billboard for anyone’s posts. I disagree with the sentiments on the shirt. I get thousands of shots,” Smith said, adding that she would be more mindful in the future.
Arden didn’t believe it.
“I’ve probably taken 200,000 photos with people in my life and I don’t have one with someone wearing a disparaging T-shirt with a very plain, easy to read, hateful message on it,” the singer wrote.
Arden said Smith “shouldn’t be leading a parade, let alone a county.”
Poilièvre was at the same event and also took a picture with the man.
A Poilièvre spokesman said the leader disagrees with the message of “straightforward pride.”
