Gay Life in Canadian Cities - Page 69

Loco101 · #**1361** Posted **Jun 27, 2015, 5:58 PM**

I have to agree that the focus becomes too much on sexual appeal and sexual intercourse and behaviour in terms of celebrations but I certainly prefer those things over oppression and violence.

SignalHillHiker · #**1362** Posted **Jun 28, 2015, 6:26 AM**

Seamus O'Regan, a federal Liberal candidate in St. John's, is out and it's widely known - but he's still quite a private personal generally so this was a nice surprise:

And also Rick Mercer, who is based in TO now but from here, who is also out but also private, had a great interview with the local LGBT mag. Can't share the cover, it's not out yet, but it looks great.

SignalHillHiker · #**1363** Posted **Jun 29, 2015, 1:07 AM**

I have three friends who, separately, are in TO right now for Pride with other friends.

The city is getting good reviews. Lots of jokes about leaving St. John's (FINALLY with some sunshine) only to go back to fog and misery, but lots of comments about how friendly people are and how much happier the city feels.

No especially cool pics to lift from them yet though.

SignalHillHiker · #**1364** Posted **Jun 29, 2015, 1:13 AM**

Spoke too soon. A few photos from, presumably, today, by a buddy, F., visiting TO. Stolen from FB, he doesn't mind.

miketoronto · #**1365** Posted **Jun 29, 2015, 1:55 AM**

Toronto during PRIDE is amazing. The feeling downtown is generally one of just happenings and acceptance of everyone.

Despite the huge crowds, it is considered I believe the safest large event in Toronto. Where there is generally no issues.

Great feelings. Too bad it rained.

Loco101 · #**1366** Posted **Jun 29, 2015, 2:10 AM**

Love the photo of Mayor John Tory. Now he is a conservative that I highly respect. Or Progressive Conservative I should say.

SignalHillHiker · #**1367** Posted **Jun 29, 2015, 2:20 AM**

A few more (he's processing pics now,

)

So far he met Katya, Raja, and now Miss Fame.

I love her. She grew up on a farm with chickens and she's SO weird.

I love weird people.

I didn't realize all the American queens would be there. Jealous now.

MonkeyRonin · #**1368** Posted **Jun 29, 2015, 2:49 PM**

It was the coldest, rainiest, generally crappiest weekend I've ever experienced for Pride. It was also one of the funnest, even if (or perhaps in part because) the crowds were thinner than usual.

ssiguy · #**1369** Posted **Jun 29, 2015, 9:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loco101

Love the photo of Mayor John Tory. Now he is a conservative that I highly respect. Or Progressive Conservative I should say.

Tory has always been fiscally conservative but socially liberal.

Loco101 · #**1370** Posted **Jun 29, 2015, 9:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssiguy

Tory has always been fiscally conservative but socially liberal.

Yep, that's true. He was well liked as the ON PC leader but it was the extreme nutbars in his party that hurt his chances. And to think the party elected a hardliner Patrick Brown over moderate Christine Elliott....

Tory is certainly a breath of fresh air over Rob Ford!

1overcosc · #**1371** Posted **Jun 30, 2015, 4:32 PM**

The Ontario PC Party marched in the pride parade... Brown and a lot of his MPPs (even some from the rural hardline right-wing group), were there.

It's a big moment. Queer acceptance now normal across the entire political spectrum.

Loco101 · #**1372** Posted **Jul 1, 2015, 5:44 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

The Ontario PC Party marched in the pride parade... Brown and a lot of his MPPs (even some from the rural hardline right-wing group), were there.

It's a big moment. Queer acceptance now normal across the entire political spectrum.

I didn't realize that. I don't live in or near Toronto. Very glad to hear that even some of the hardliners participated in the parade.

I still don't understand why many people associate LGBTQ people as being more urban types. Maybe the ON PC Party is starting to realize that LGBTQ exist throughout the province including rural areas.

SignalHillHiker · #**1373** Posted **Jul 1, 2015, 3:42 PM**

God love him.

*****

vid · #**1374** Posted **Jul 5, 2015, 9:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loco101

I didn't realize that. I don't live in or near Toronto. Very glad to hear that even some of the hardliners participated in the parade.

I still don't understand why many people associate LGBTQ people as being more urban types. Maybe the ON PC Party is starting to realize that LGBTQ exist throughout the province including rural areas.

The people who actually run for the PCs tend to be business owners, and business owners tend to be (not always, but usually) very tolerant of gay people, because we have money to spend at their stores.

PC voters on the other hand tend to be ignorant pieces of shit, but in our region they account for barely more of the population than LGBT people do so it doesn't matter!

Thunder Bay's city council has been about 25%-50% PC for the past decade, but they've always been unanimously in favour of LGBT-positive initiatives, like GSAs and the local Pride week. I don't think we've had anyone on council even say anything slightly homophobic since the 1990s. Candidates have, but they're usually the candidates that come in last.

red-paladin · #**1375** Posted **Jul 8, 2015, 6:17 AM**

From http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgar...taxi-1.3141963

Quote:

Calgary United Cabs driver suspended after kissing men kicked out of taxi
Taxi driver Stephen Eze suspended and must appear before a licensing board in August
CBC News Posted: Jul 07, 2015 1:43 PM MT Last Updated: Jul 07, 2015 6:17 PM MT

A driver from Calgary United Cabs has been suspended for discriminatory behaviour after two men complained they were kicked out of a taxi for kissing.

Nolan Hill, one of the passengers, says he was kissing another man when he was kicked out of a cab and told he was disgusting.

Hill complained to the City of Calgary's livery transport services, which issued a suspension to driver Stephen Eze on Tuesday. The investigation included a review of video recorded in the cab.

.....

SignalHillHiker · #**1376** Posted **Jul 9, 2015, 2:10 PM**

I haven't had a chance to check any of it out yet but I heard there's a big LGBT presence and support at the Games in TO - including a promo video from Team Canada. Well done.

kwoldtimer · #**1377** Posted **Jul 9, 2015, 3:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

I haven't had a chance to check any of it out yet but I heard there's a big LGBT presence and support at the Games in TO - including a promo video from Team Canada. Well done.

There was a piece in the news yesterday about the first official PanAm Games "Pride House", which is located in the 519 Community Centre.

SignalHillHiker · #**1378** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 12:06 AM**

It's our first winter Pride Week in St. John's.

Started today with the official flag raising at Confederation Building and most city halls throughout the Northeast Avalon.

Judging by all the t-shirts, this is apparently the theme for this year.

Mayor Denis O'Keefe said eventually we won't need Pride because, hopefully, LGBT will just become a part of normal. St. John's Centre MHA Gerry Rogers, a lesbian, said it was a great year for LGBT people but there's still more to do, especially changing our Vital Statistics Act to allow trans people to change their gender marker on their birth certificate without having to have sexual reassignment surgery (which renders them sterile AND some don't even want - and which the province will only cover under some ridiculous circumstances so they have to go out of province to get it).

LOTS of cheers for Ireland and the U.S. all around.

The big events (for me) are going to be the Pride bonfire, rooftop party, and a few plays.

I can't believe it's been a year!

• Video Link

EDIT: Memorial University raised the Pride and trans flags too.

SignalHillHiker · #**1379** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 1:15 AM**

The City of St. John's did the trans and Pride flags too.

And NTV and VOCM and even CBC-NL covered all the speeches.

And God love CBC-NL. Just when you're ready to write them off completely for NTV, they step it up.

SignalHillHiker · #**1380** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 1:42 AM**

So, Glasgow has banned drag queens from Pride to avoid offending trans folks. People here are losing their minds because our folks are divided in such a way to make the same thing possible.

Brutal.