Former Member of Parliament Jani Toivola writes on social media that the coverage of the last few days has felt bad.
Jani Toivola says that the discussion of the past few weeks has chillingly reminded her of the Gay Night almost 15 years ago and the discussions about gay rights. PDO
Former Member of Parliament and media personality Jani Toivola takes a stance on the gay debate sparked by the presidential election on social media. The sexual orientation of presidential candidate Pekka Haavisto (voter association, supported by the Greens) has sparked debate in recent days.
Finns’ problem with sexual minorities was revealed in recent polls, according to which a third of them have a spouse as the reason for not voting for Haavisto. This was evident from the responses of the University of Helsinki’s citizen barometer.
Toivola has published in connection with his long article Image-magazine cover from 2009, where she poses.
– In the opinion of many, homosexuality still does not fit into the light of day. Following the headlines of the past few days has felt really bad. How freely and neutrally they get space. I have thought the most about the role of those who are being talked about in this conversation, Toivola writes.
Reminded me of gay night
He says that the conversation has chillingly reminded him of the discussions about the rights and status of gays about 15 years ago – and the TV2 that served as the trigger Gay night.
– The feeling was very much the same. You sit on the edge of the couch and watch as society openly debates the justification of your existence and its limits, Toivola writes.
He says that, as many have stated, sexual orientation should have nothing to do with the presidency, but it still does.
– People matter. Because everyone could enter the room as whole as possible. President or not, says Toivola.
He emphasizes that this is exactly the message he goes around talking about – especially to young people. Toivola also says that he often talks about how he thought when he was young that homosexuality could not be seen in the light of day. Later, he thought that homosexuality and fatherhood do not fit into the same picture of being human. It was different. Now Toivola is a father.
Toivola also served as an MP for eight years.
– The only black and often one of the few gays. It is a setting where there is no other choice but to talk about what is evident in you. And at the same time, you become the type who always grinds these same things, he writes.
Toivola was a member of parliament for the Greens for eight years. Jenni Gästgivar
Toivola ends her text by writing about how, in everyone’s opinion, sexual minorities are still not “welcome in the different rooms of society”.
– It’s a big burden for anyone to carry. Although at the same time carrying a lot more. Would be a capable and capable person. Even if you still choose the more variegated pants and the courage to speak.
– And yet. The world changes. And new people enter the room.
Toivola has been a public presidential candidate in Haavisto’s support forces.