Stand-off in Pointe-Claire

>> Gay activists plan event for besieged gay couple

by MATTHEW HAYS

Homophobes in Pointe-Claire probably won't like it, but their actions might just lead to the town's first gay-rights rally.

After years of harassment by bigoted neighbours, couple Roger Thibault and Theo Wouters, Pointe-Claire residents for 23 years, have become increasingly distraught as hateful incidents have become more intense in recent months. Now, after filing a complaint with the Quebec Human Rights Commission and with charges of assault and harassment being pressed against a neighbour, media attention about the couple's plight has grown.

And with it, widespread sympathy for their situation. After living in the neighbourhood "completely peacefully," Wouters says a man moved in across the street six years ago, and though they've never "advertised" their sexual orientation, by '97 began verbally harassing them, telling them to "go get married and start a family" and calling them "faggots."

As Wouters recalls, the man then spoke with their immediate neighbour of 17 years, Robert Walker, who began harassing them verbally, popping golf balls into their yard and even stalking them. Walker is currently under a restraining order to stay at least 50 feet away from the couple. They have filed a complaint against the first man with the Human Rights Commission which is currently pending.

Both Wouters and Thibault report suffering severe emotional distress during the last year, when Walker's actions escalated to a point where the restraining order became necessary. But they now say that supportive media attention--which has come everywhere from the gay monthly Fugues to the Gazette, Globe and Mail, TVA and Global--has given them new hope that they can return to a relatively normal life in their Pointe-Claire house.

"This isn't really something we've wanted to face at this stage in our lives," says Wouters, 59, a couturier. "But the bright side has been the kindness of some. Many neighbours have dropped off cards of support and the mayor sent us a letter of support."

As well, since Wouters is a Dutch citizen, he and Thibault have been invited to a cocktail held by the Dutch embassy to celebrate Queen Beatrix's birthday this April 30.

Gay activists confirm that action in support of the couple is pending, but they want to await the outcome of various trials and hearings. Movement has been slowed due to the recent prosecutors' strike action.

"We've been considering a May rally," says Laurent McCutcheon, president of the French-language phone line Gai-Écoute, and a member of the Table du concertation de violence. "What has happened to them really is shocking. They really need support from the community."

"It isn't always easy to get solidarity among the gay and lesbian community," says McCutcheon, who's quick to add that a high-profile case like this might just do the trick. "What has been brought against these two is so outrageous that it might just anger people to attend a rally. One of the disturbing things is that they had lived there for years with no trouble, and then this."