The Queer Evangelist: The Politics of Politics

Sponsored by Wilfrid Laurier University Press

Recorded on 04/21/2021
Posted in The Authority File

Episode 188

Cheri DiNovo, former member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, has been inside the belly of the legislative beast. Known for passing a historic number of LGBTQ+ bills, Cheri forged many bipartisan connections, negotiating her way from “motherhood” issues into the more contested. In her own words: “I prefer to think, and I guess this is the Christian in me too, or at least the faithful person in me, that there is some good reason people sit in those seats. There is some motivating factor that they actually want to change the world for the better…We may disagree ideologically on everything, we may disagree on how to make the world better, but if we can start with that conversation and kind of proceed from there, we can get something done.”

In this third episode, Cheri delves into the politics of politics, picking apart the shortfalls of our political systems, as well as highlighting the value of lively debate and collaboration between lawmakers across party lines. Cheri also discusses the reform versus revolution mentality, and why she believes there’s value in reform on the way to revolution. “When push comes to shove, I think about simply saving lives…Laws change lives, and they save lives.”

About the guest:

Cheri DiNovo
Minister
Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre for Faith Justice and the Arts

Cheri DiNovo grew up in Toronto in a rooming house owned by her parents and spent time on the streets as a teenager, leading to her to social activism. Formerly a member of the Ontario Legislative Assembly, she is host of The Radical Reverend Show, and Minister at Trinity St. Paul’s Centre for Faith Justice and the Arts. Her book Qu(e)erying Evangelism: Growing a Community from the Outside In won the Lambda award in 2005. She has won numerous awards for her activism and is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Enjoy the episode? Check out the rest of the series:

• Episode one: “It’s Been Quite a Life”
• Episode two: Getting into Politics
• Episode four: Relentless Activism for Dramatic Change

Sponsored by:

Related Posts