Ottawa's Shopify not cutting ties with store selling products alleging 'grooming' of children
Calls are growing for Ottawa based e-commerce giant Shopify to cut ties with a controversial merchant, 'Libs of TikTok.'
Critics say its merchandise, which includes products with the words "Stop Grooming our Kids," is anti-LGBTQ2S +.
Activist and author Amanda Jette Knox says the language used by Libs of TikTok is a dog whistle for anti LGBTQ+ people. She says it’s a well established fact that the idea of grooming children is something that is weaponized against the LGBTQ+ community, especially the trans and drag communities.
This comes as hate crimes against LGBTQ2 people are growing. According to statistics Canada, in 2019 there were 263 hate crimes reported targeting sexual orientation. That's 41 per cent higher than the previous year and the most since 2009.
“A lot of this is perpetrated by the groomer narrative put out by organisations and accounts like 'Libs of Tik Tok,' Knox said. “It is actually impacting people to see that stuff being sold, it does not exactly lend to folks feeling safe.”
Somerset ward councillor Ariel Troster, who has been out for two decades, says she's disappointed Shopify continues to do business with the account. She personally knows the impact such words can have, and cited the deadly shooting at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado.
“Given the events of a couple of days ago in Colorado Springs, I’m very disappointed to see that Shopify has not dropped this account," Troster said. “It shows the company does not care about them. It shows that profits in the case of this company are more important than protecting people from harm.”
Shopify issuing a statement Tuesday saying the merchant doesn't violate the company's acceptable use policy.
"We host businesses of all stripes and sizes, with various worldviews….We take concerns around the merchants on our platform very seriously.”
That policy specifically bars users from promoting or condoning “hate or violence” against “people based on … gender” and “sexual orientation,” among other categories.
Troster told CTV News Ottawa if Shopify does not fix the problem, boycotts may follow.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.