Jonny Sopotiuk questions the appointment of Stuart Murray as CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CBC) Just two days after being publicly appointed the first CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Stuart Murray is coming under fire from Winnipeg's gay community for his record on same-sex issues.

The criticism is based on the former Tory leader's vote against a government bill allowing same-sex adoption in the Manitoba legislature in 2002.

Jonny Sopotiuk, Manitoba chair of the Canadian Federation of Students and a gay man, said Thursday he'd expect the head of a human rights organization to have a spotless record when it comes to advocating for equality and fundamental freedoms for all people.

"The CEO of a human rights museum should have a very strong record working on human rights issues. They should be a community advocate. They should have experience working on human rights issues," Sopotiuk said.

Murray said at the time his vote didn't represent his personal views, and that he was voting along with his party and the views of his constituents.

Roewan Crowe, professor of women's and gender studies at the University of Winnipeg, told CBC News same-sex rights are the same as human rights. She rejected Murray's explanation.

"It's not a good enough excuse for me. What I would like from Mr. Murray is for him to make a public declaration saying that for him, human rights are the rights that are protected by the Canadian Charter for Human Rights," Crowe said.

In a statement Thursday, Ottawa's heritage department — the agency that hired Murray — said the 54-year-old was appointed to head up the CMHR based on his competence and qualifications.

The department also said Murray has a proven track record and credentials that speak for themselves.

Along with his six-year stint as Progressive Conservative leader from 2000-to 2006, Murray's resumé includes experience as a high-level player in a number of philanthropic and commercial interests, including his most recent job as CEO of the St. Boniface Hospital and Research Foundation.

However, nothing in his resumé suggests he has prior experience working for a human-rights agency.

Sopotiuk said he's concerned the gay community will be marginalized by the CMHR.

"There's gay people in countries across the world that are being executed. They're being stoned to death. They're being hanged," Sopotiuk said.

Currently under construction, the CMHR is slated to open in 2012 at the Forks Market in Winnipeg.

CBC spoke with Stuart Murray Thursday, he said he is committed to reflecting human rights issues that affect the gay community in the museum and wants to meet with people in the community to talk about it.