Mayor names 2 'special advisors' for LGBTQ action plan

Hamilton's mayor has named two people who will act as his "special advisors" on anLGBTQaction plan totake on hate and discrimination.

Deirdre Pike and Cole Gatelyhave agreed to partner with the city to help repairtherelationship with the LGBTQ Hamiltonians, Fred Eisenbergersaid Friday.

The announcement was madejust hours after a group of about 20 people showed up at the mayor'shome yelling, swearing and planting signs stating he "doesn't care about Queer People."

After the morning protest at his house, Eisenberger said the anarchist "agitators" are a small group fostering divisions.

In a statement issuedlate Friday afternoon that started by recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riotswhichhelped kick-startthe modern fight for LGBTQ rights Eisenberger says he stands in solidarity with the city's LGBTQ community and will continue working to increase inclusion.

The mayorhas been under fire in recent weeks for the way he's handledLGBTQ issues, including adispute overwhether to fly the Pride flagas well as the city and police'sreaction to Christian extremists who violently clashed with Pride celebrants.

He promised earlier this week that the city will "do better" and meet with the LGBTQ community to work on an action plan to combat hate.

"Deirdre and Cole will aid in the upcoming 2SLGBTQ+ meeting that will focus on building a stronger relationship, addressing hate and hate crimes, and developing a collaborative strategy to address discrimination against 2SLGBTQ+ communities in our city," according to Eisenberger's announcement.

He added Pike and Gately will also "aid in the broader conversation" aboutracism, anti-Semitism, Islamphobia and discrimination againstLGBTQ and Indigenous people.

Pike is aLGBTQ activist who ran for the Liberal Party in the last provincial election.

The mayor's statement describes her as a "strong advocate for equity and inclusion" and says she is a two-time recipient of Hamilton's Pride Citizen of the Year.

Cole is currently the Diversity and Inclusion Facilitator for the city's Trans Protocol as well as the chair and co-founder of Hamilton Trans Health Coalition.

"He is a well-known advocate of 2SLGBTQ+ rights, and he uses an intersectional feminist lens in his analysis and education," according to the mayor.

Cole is also a part-time instructor at McMaster University and Mohawk College. A brief biography on the university's website says he works as an educator in the city's "homelessness sector" and has been an activist for issues including feminist, LGBTQ and sex worker rights since the late 80s.

The mayor says he's looking forward to working with both on making Hamilton a place where everyone feels safe and welcome.

"With their help, and through a full community consultation, next year when we raise the Pride and Trans flags, we know our community will be in a stronger place."