OPEN SECRET: Conservative cabinet minister John Baird outed
FEDERAL POLITICS / Baird is a familiar face in gay social circles in Ottawa
Marcus McCann / National / Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Share |

OUTED. Conservative cabinet minister John Baird (left) smiles for the camera at Capital Pride in 2009.
(Remi Theriault)
In a live interview that aired Feb 2 on Metro Morning, a Toronto CBC-radio program, Pamela Taylor was put on the hot seat, asked to name any openly gay Conservative MPs or Ontario MPPs. The trick is, none are openly gay. She named John Baird, a Conservative cabinet minister who has always refused to discuss his sexuality in the media.

Baird is a familiar face in gay social circles in Ottawa. He regularly chats up queer bureaucrats at Public Service Pride social events. He's a friend of gay former Ottawa city councillor Alex Munter. He's attended Ottawa's Pride parties, including the 2009 parade (see photo).

In the media, he's often portrayed as a workaholic bachelor and is the frequent (though non-sexual) date of Laureen Harper.

Taylor is running in a Toronto-Centre provincial by-election to replace openly gay former deputy premier George Smitherman. That election is Feb 4.

Baird, 40, was first elected in 1995 as a provincial Progressive Conservative. In 1999, he became a cabinet minister under then-premier Mike Harris. Baird was responsible for the contentious welfare-to-work file during that time.

He was elected federally in 2006. As treasury board president that year, he stripped funding from the Court Challenges Program, a Chretien-era initiative that funded important gay legal battles, including the fight for gay marriage. He also "defanged" Status of Women Canada and cut funding for adult literacy and medical marijuana research.

However, Baird has never voted against gay marriage federally and was one of 10 Conservative MPs to vote against reopening the issue late in 2006.

Last November, he spoke out against a violent, anti-gay bill making its way through the Ugandan legislature. At the time, he called it "abhorrent" and "offensive" and said that "it offends Canadian values."

Taylor's comments were part of a scuffle over the provincial Progressive Conservatives' record on gay issues.

ANDY BARRIE: Can you think of a single openly gay Conservative politician, either provincially or federally, who is gay?

TAYLOR: Openly gay? John Baird.

BARRIE: [Stunned] Thank you. You got me.

TAYLOR: And there are many others.

BARRIE: That was really dumb of me.

To listen to the clip, go to the Metro Morning website and click on Toronto By-Election (it's about halfway through).

Representatives for Pam Taylor and John Baird have not returned our calls for comment.


Share |


Reader Comments

These reader comments are posted directly. No editorial review is made prior to posting. Readers may contact the moderator with any complaints or concerns, and these will be reviewed within two business days.

 
what a B!TCH
who cares if he is gay or not... who cares... it is NON OF HER BUSINESS to out anyone... weither he is gay or not.. it is HIM that should out himself... not some brod that wants more votes...
Guy McL, Ottawa ON
02/02/10 1:25 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
The Perez Hilton Outing Rule
Perez Hilton believes that if you are a public person and in the closet, he sees nothing wrong with outing them. I'm perfectly happy with Baird being outed.
Val, Ottawa ON
02/02/10 1:52 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
So John Baird is Canada's Larry Craig?
Canada has closeted Gays working for the anti-gay Conservative party, just like in the USA now right? John Baird should really move down to the states and work for the Republican Party, where he will find many, many others just like himself.
Jason, Mississauga Ont
02/02/10 1:59 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
responsibility
it is the responsibility of gay public persons to out themselves. They should def. out themselves, though and Taylor should never have done it for him. But where are Baird's balls? As a person in the service of the PUBLIC, he owes it to the hundreds of LGBTQ youths who attempt or complete suicide each year. and @guy, calling someone a bitch is pretty cowardly. It lacks imagination and shows a lack of reflection.
Lina Harper, Montreal QC
02/02/10 1:59 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
A Tory is a Tory is a Tory
I don't care if the guy is a drag queen and wears the same shoes that Judy Garland wore in The Wizard of Oz, he's still a Tory, and a Tory is no friend of the gay community. When was the last time you heard of a Tory supporting gay rights or equality legislation? Just look at their voting record! I'll take my changs with Mr. Layton, thank you. 'Nuff said.
Kieran Earles, Mount Pearl Newfoundland
02/02/10 2:31 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
"Bitch"? Ahem...
Guy from Ottawa should (1) check his sexism and (2) learn how to spell. I would appreciate it if Baird would out himself as a bottom, because I'd love to have him bite the pillow for me.
Sean, Toronto ON
02/02/10 2:33 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
The Baird Facts
It is like the article says, an open secret. I would have done this earlier if Baird had voted against gay marriage. I was tempted when Baird and his government sat in an HIV/AIDS prevention campaign for almost two years! see http://queerthoughts.blogspot.com
Ricky Barnes, Toronto Ontario
02/02/10 2:48 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
This is the problem...
with people who tramp around the community but aren't officially out - they are hard to keep track of. I've met Ms Taylor and she's a very nice woman, certainly not homophobic and I doubt there was an malice on her behalf. She probably assumed that because Baird was 'out' in some circumstances, he was 'out-out'. I can see it getting very confusing, and I don't see why she she be castigated for not keeping someone else's web of lies 'straight.'
Alex MacLean, Toronto ON
02/02/10 3:06 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Open secret..
Too funny, really. He cruised me at a bar in Ottawa a few years ago. His sexuality is widely known, but not "public." I feel (sorta) bad for Taylor spilling the beans, but if Baird would have only manned up and come out, he'd be stronger for it.
Dan, Toronto ON
02/02/10 4:08 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
The grey area.
Good point, Alex =;)
Lyndon Surjik, Vancouver BC
02/02/10 4:47 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Can we throw him back?
Into the closet that is? I'd rather not claim him for my community. :)
Bruce, Vancouver BC
02/02/10 5:32 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Discretion
I would hardly call Mr Baird closeted, simply discreet. It is no ones business who he loves. Shame on both of them for that juvenille exchange.
GGower, St John NB
02/02/10 5:34 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Outing Valid
It's perfectly valid to out a public person when they act in ways that are anti-gay. Hypocrisy is a bitch that deserves to bite you in the bum--not in a good way.
Jason Tremblay, Montreal Quebec
02/02/10 5:41 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
The Evil Left srikes again
Baird was not IN the closet. He just isn't a screaming hysterical queen like the socialist douche bags of the left. Acting like a man is anathema to liberal queers. Obviously leftists feel that being gay is something to be embarrassed about (which it isn't) or why else do you feel a need to "expose" someone as gay. Baird never worked against gay equality as far as I know. This is cheap disgusting low life leftist politics and another reason why you pieces of shit will never be allowed near the levers of power in Canada.
ron, Vancouver BC
02/02/10 6:01 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
The revolving closet door
Where was the discretion in John Baird's behaviour? He hangs out in gay bars in Ottawa, apparently, and I've seen him drinking with George Smitherman on Church Street in the window seat at Byzantium in full display mode. Seriously, how is someone like Pamela Taylor meant to parse all the hair-splitting about what it means to be 'out'? The only thing he hadn't done was announce it, Svend Robinson style. Why should an entire community plus your friends, family and political party be required to conspire in keeping secret something that you haven't tried to hide in any real sense? It is mind-boggling to me to state that Ms Taylor 'outed' him, when to use the verb 'to out' conjures up images of ACT-UP outing closety married homophobes with a dirty little taste for boy-wang. She was simply - it would appear - being honest and open. She's not the villain here - if anything, she was refreshingly naive for a would-be politician.
Alex MacLean, Toronto ON
02/02/10 6:07 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
The evil left?
Ron, please read a story thoroughly before spewing. The 'outer' in this case was the Tory candidate in our byelection being held this Thursday. I've met Pamela Taylor, and I assure you she is no evil ogre-faced communist hell-bent on the destruction of all you hold dear. Chill!
Alex MacLean, Toronto ON
02/02/10 6:17 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Play nice!
OK this is crazy. Everyone knows John is gay. I dated him awhile and he is actually really sweet. The media portray this monster but the truth is he's a big bear. Now it's out in the open so good. I'll sell my story to the Ottawa Citizen for 2 cents LOL
TOQueer, Ottawa ON
02/02/10 6:28 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Easy Mistake
I feel bad for Pamela. She made an honest mistake and she IS a nice lady. That said, I'm voting Cathy Crowe!
Rick, Toronto ON
02/02/10 6:46 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Who Cares?
As a straight member of the Conservative Party of Canada - who cares if John Baird is gay or not? The ONLY thing that I want to know, is does he do a good job? I supported openly gay Conservative candidate Lorne Mayencourt in Vancouver Centre in the 2008 election. Why the gay community supported Liberal Heddy (burning crosses) Fry is beyond my imagination. I worked for Mayencourt because he was a better candidate than Fry - not because of his sexuality.
Jim Pook, Tahsis BC
02/02/10 6:55 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Yes, the Evil Left
Alex, I wasn't referring to the female candidate. I was referring to the creeps at Pink Triangle Press who run Xtra! John Baird, a cabinet minister, is living proof that Stephen Harper does not hate homosexuals and judges individuals according to merit. This drives the hateful socialists at Xtra! bat-shit crazy. So how do you attack an quietly open-gay conservative cabinet minister that has done much for gay rights? Make a front page issue of his sexuality in hopes of turning the homophobes in his party against him, thereby possibly causing him to lose his cabinet position. Like I said ...EVIL LEFT. They will gladly toss the best advocate for gay equality we have just to score political points.
ron, Vancouver Bc
02/02/10 7:56 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Who are the real haters, Ron?
Ron, if it's the left that's "evil" why is it he had to stay in the closet for fear of the homophobes in his own party when Liberal and NDP politicians don't have similar fears about being out of the closet? Doesn't that tell you that there's something wrong with Conservatives? And why would a LGBT person be in a party in which they can only get ahead if they stay in the closet? The story here isn't that Baird's been outed but that he felt it necessary to stay in the closet for so long.
Dave, Toronto Ontario
02/02/10 8:13 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Self Loathing
Self loathing is often the basis for closeted behavior. If Baird doesn't want anyone to think he is openly gay, he should hide out and exhibit greater shame. If he associates with people who routinely object to his "type," too bad for him. As for her "outing" him, that's B.S., he wants to socialize but not be out? His risk and it failed.
Steve Cruz, Denver Colorado
02/02/10 8:17 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
It's about politics, not sexual orientation
I may disagree with his politics, but it's up to him to decide whether he includes his sexual orientation in the public sphere. Frankly, he's the only one to make being gay or straight a non-issue. I am personally sick of all the straight candidates who proclaim their sexual orientation in their brochures. For example, at least John Baird doesn't write, "I live in Ottawa, with my lovely husband and four talented children. We have a cat and live in a single family home. Vote for me." Who cares? Politicians should be running on policy issues, not their sexual orientation.
Essie, Ottawa Ontario
02/02/10 8:47 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Night of the Evil Left
How is Xtra! responsible for the fact that the Conservative party, by your own admission, has a contingent that is so virulently homophobic they would have Baird fired for the mere mention of his sexuality? And why should Xtra! censor what is a mainstream news story so as not to provoke these bigots? It's just so typical that the party of "personal responsibility" refuses take any for their own bigoted membership.
Rick, Toronto ON
02/02/10 8:47 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Who cares
What has a person's sexual orientation got to do with their ability to do a job competently? I am angry at Baird for cutting women's programmes. I surely hope he didn't make his decision based on his orientation.
SMc, Tatamagouche NS
02/02/10 10:11 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
socialists and queens
Er, Ron, I'm one of those "socialist douche bags of the left" that you seem bent on demonizing here -- and I'm not a "screaming queen", but in fact a fairly butch dude whom you likely wouldn't guess to be gay if you just saw me walking down the street. And yet if we actually spoke, you'd know I'm gay -- not because I act like a nelly queen, but because I'd talk about it. That's what being out means, kiddo -- it's about being honest about who you are, and has nothing to do with being a stereotype or advertising intimate details of your sex life. Not that there's anything wrong with nelly queens, either but being gay is all about the right to be who you are *regardless* of what that means. So take your conservative superiority complex, roll it up and smoke it.
Craig, Toronto Ontario
02/03/10 12:12 AM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
hilarious
Sounds like someone's own anxieties about getting outed were raised by this article... hmm?
Smith, Winnipeg MB
02/03/10 12:48 AM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
There's no such thing as OUTING
There is no such thing as OUTING. There is only telling the truth, or telling lies. Assuming Taylor was being honest, it sets a good example.
Randy, Windsor ON
02/03/10 4:51 AM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Respect each other's privacy
What is missed by many here is the respect we need to have for each person's privacy. Aside from which gender each of us may prefer we could then go into HOW each of us like to do it, what business is THAT of the public? Should public figues have to disclose that too, show that they are not ashamed and speak out so an identified group that shares those interests can shout out and use them as a tool to promote their own agenda? I really don't give a damn who or what anyone likes to do privately so long as no one comes to harm. To those who state that John Baird should be speaking or acting a certain way because that is how they conduct themselves should mind their own business and stay out of his.
AA, Thunder Bay ON
02/03/10 6:48 AM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
easy mistake to make--he seems out to me
I agree with those above who say "it is an easy mistake to make" assuming eevryone knows Baird is gay as he makes no attempt to hide it--in fact he is always openly cruising gay bars and parties. So "outed" is not the right word in this case, especially since everyone knows and he doesn't hide it (except as Ian Scott officially did, saying something like it is a personal matter. Can't blame Ms Taylor for making the mistake that he was out out. Meanwhile Glen Murray is very out and nice but refuses to debate on TV (TVO offer spurned--see Star Coyle column today) Ms Taylor and Cathy Crowe. Shame! There are issues after all..and Toronto Centre is the people's seat, not the Liberal seat.
james Dubro, toronto ontario
02/03/10 8:57 AM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Pride 2010?
Craig, I'm sure we're not alone; I sense an upcoming Pride banner - "Socialist Douchebags of the Left - Out and Proud in 2010!" Being from Vancouver originally, I know quite a few out there as well. We're everywhere, Ron, we're everywhere!
Alex MacLean, Toronto ON
02/03/10 9:52 AM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Baird no advocate for equal rights
ron you are very mistaken when you claim Baird as an advocate for gay rights, he has done nothing to advance the cause of equality in any way and in fact has done more to harm it by getting rid of the court challenges program which helped gays and lesbians in the fight for equal marriage, if Baird had been in gov't during those years we might not have equal marriage today due to lack of funding for court costs from his cutting of the court challenges program. That decision also has a negative effect on other minorities seeking equality today. Just because he didn't vote to reopen the equal marriage debate hardly qualifies him as an advocate for anything. Being gay does not excuse Baird's politics in any way and the fact that he felt he had to hide his orientation from other members of the federal Cons speaks volumes. This is, after all, the party that refuses to fund LGBT events that fully qualify for funding just because some of its members got upset that Toronto Pride got some federal money last year. Not only did a minister get demoted because of that but now it seems very likely the Cons will continue to discriminate against LGBT people by refusing to fund our events even though they meet all of the other qualifications and there is no reason not to fund them besides being anti-gay bigots. Why any LGBT person would support this party is absolutely beyond me since they take pride in not supporting us in any way shape or form.
Rich, Toronto Ontario
02/03/10 11:32 AM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
In defence of Xtra
Not sure how I feel about outing in general, but it's clearly wrong to portray this as some kind of political power play by Xtra (who, agreed, are probably "socialist douchebags of the left"--and I mean that in the nicest way.) First, if little old me in faraway Halifax has known about this open secret for years, I'm sure that the well-connected Ottawa queers at Xtra have known for longer than that. They didn't spring it during an election campaign, cabinet shuffle, or any other particularly vulnerable point for Baird. They sprang it when it became (arguably) newsworthy, because someone else mentioned it publicly. Secondly, I fail to see how this would further any agenda that leftist queers might have to undermine the Conservative party. It will be even harder to attack Harper as homophobic now that everyone knows one of his key lieutenants is a gay. This story spins way for for the Conservatives than against them. Xtra's smart enough to know that. Still not 100% convinced it's really "newsworthy" ... but at worst Xtra's guilty of gossip-mongering, not politicking.
Kevin, Halifax NS
02/03/10 11:47 AM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Stop reading then....
Hey Ron, if you hate the Pink Triangle Press so much, why the hell do you read and comment on absolutely EVERY story that's ever posted on Xtra.ca? A word of advice, if you hate it so much, then STOP READING IT! Your good pal Ezra sounds like he's probably a better read in your mind. My two cents - John Baird has stood by and "supported his party" while they treated gays like shit, so he can stfu and deal with being outed publicly.
Brandon, Vancouver BC
02/03/10 3:08 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
He has a road ahead of him
Hoping he'd eventually go public, so he could examine some of the contradictions within his political party of choice, but sad that it wasn't on his timing. He'll have to do some introspection and work on things once it gets more widely known than a single TO radio station and Xtra.
John MacQuarrie, Ottawa ON
02/03/10 4:19 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
WOW
Really? That guys is SO hot! I never though he was gay!
HD, Wpg MB
02/03/10 6:21 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Baird is good
I have known John Baird for more than 20 years - and I am proud to count him among my circle of friends. He is a good person and does what he can to move our issues forward.
Doug McClelland, Vancouver BC
02/03/10 9:45 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
oh?
Doug: except when he's cutting the Court Challenges Program, I guess.
Ace, Montreal QC
02/03/10 9:51 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Glad he was outed
While Baird might not have voted for anti-gay legislation he did cut funding to the Court Challenges program and stood there silently while Stephen Harper pledged on the first day of the election campaign following the passage of same sex marriage to reopen the issue should he form the government. Inexcusable!! Harper must have known he was gay and for Baird to allow him to make the VERY FIRST CAMPAIGN promise in Bairds own riding office was a slap in the face to all of us who fought for decades to attain full equality. Shame on you John Baird for aligning yourself with the most virulent anti-gay party in this country. You are no friend to me or my brothers and sisters who still face intolerance and double standards at the hands of your party. Why don't you try reparative therapy because we don't need "friends" like you.
Doug, Toronto Ontario
02/04/10 1:54 AM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Why do we only want to know if they are gay?
Why is it people feel it's alrady to ask a suspected Gay person if they are gay but never ask straight people about their sexual orientation? I wonder how the public would react if Andy had asked Pamela is she was into oral sex or maybe anal. Or maybe what politicians were into bondage or went to spas for anonymous group sex? Why is it alright to ask about a gay persons sexuality but not a straight persons. Enough already, I don't care what you do in your bedroom, Didn't Trudeau say "the state has no place in the bedroom" and that was 30 years ago.
Michael, Burlington Ontario
02/04/10 8:46 AM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Openly gay conservatives supporting gay rights
Um, Keith Norton, head of the Human Rights Commission, comes to mind. To be fair...
Tim, Kingston Ontario
02/04/10 1:04 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
To Tim and Doug
Indeed. And Keith Norton died just the other day, too. Nancy Ruth was mentioned in one of Xtra's blogs today. And like him or not, there was Lorne Mayencourt out in Vancouver, as well. Doug, as much as some of us here may disagree with Baird's politics, nobody here has said that he's a bad person. I don't know him personally, so I can't judge whether he's a nice guy in his private life or not -- I only know that he comes off in the media as a bit of a pit bull. But the fact that I may disagree with some of what he stands for politically doesn't mean I hate him as a person; I don't *know* him as a person.
Craig, Toronto Ontario
02/04/10 5:50 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
There are Tories among us! Gasp!
People need to relax. John Baird is NOT like one of those hypocritical sicko closet case Republicans in the States. He is openly gay in his personal life and only sort-of out in his professional life, like alot of us. He's never voted against queer equality rights. Conservatives are supposed to cut non-essential programs, that's why many people (including gay people) vote Tory. His outing by Pamela Taylor is more humourous than scandalous. It's not like his riding is in Lethbridge Alberta or some place where his gayness would be an issue.
Ryan, Toronto ON
02/04/10 10:21 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
So i guess we'll be hearing about YOUR sex lives??
So, many of you seem to think that what goes on in Baird's bedroom is your personal business. If that is the case, then I think it's only fair that before you comment on anyone's sexuality, you list the most private details of your sexual habits, including masturbatory habits, fantasies, a list of all former partners and a detailed history of your sexual development. I mean, after all, it's everyone's business, AMIRITE?
Kate, Ottawa ON
02/06/10 8:58 AM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
er, no
Kate, if you think a simple acknowledgement of the fact that someone is gay is in *any* way equivalent to publicizing intimate details of one's "masturbatory habits, fantasies, a list of all former partners and a detailed history of your sexual development", then you need to have your grip on reality surgically repaired.
Craig, Toronto Ontario
02/06/10 5:53 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Serve the party.
You know, it is possible that Baird was muzzled by Stephen Harper. Ugh! Unwanted mental image.
Charles, Toronto Ontario
02/12/10 9:40 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Conservatives out their own
Is it just me or does this not seem like a Conservative party tactic. A candidate running for a conservative party seat outs a gay person in its own party. And then some say Pamela Taylor was only being naive. Bull. In the end she scored lots brownie points with the party brass and mr. Harper for that little move.
Carl, Ottawa ON
02/14/10 10:29 AM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
who cares?
i think the greater question is why he wouldn't just be honest if the "accusations" (i don't like that word in context) are actually true. he's in a largely upscale, professional and primarily urban riding. nobody is going to care...if anything, it would probably help him in some parts of the riding. hence, my conclusion is that he's probably not homosexual as if he was he'd have almost certainly have had the good political sense to come out by now. everybody should focus on his messed up politics, not the triviality of his sexual orientation.
dgfkfhfhkfhjka, ottawa ontario
02/27/10 5:11 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Post Your Comment!
Your Name:
(required)


City/Town:
(required)


Province:
(required)




Email Address:
(required)



For verification purposes only. Not for publication, nor released to any mailing list. (Privacy statement)

Title of your comment:
(required)


Your Comment: (max. 2000 characters)
(required)
characters remaining

 Refresh
Enter the code shown on the left (case-sensitive):
(required)




   
Click here to read guidelines

Guidelines for reader comments

All submissions are reviewed by our editorial team. Comments are subject to editing for clarification, style and content. We reserve the right to refuse submissions.

Your comment must directly relate to the subject of the article.

Avoid confusing statements; express your thoughts clearly and succinctly so readers will understand your opinion. Do not post superficial comments, such as a phrase of just a few words.

Postings that include promotion of products, services or events will be
refused.

Your comment and name may also be published in a Xtra paper.

Publication of your comments on Xtra.ca or in an Xtra paper is not an endorsement of your views by Xtra.ca or Pink Triangle Press.

Please note that anything you write in your comment (for example: your name, city) may be indexed by search engines. If you are concerned about your privacy, consider using your first name or initials only.