Canada’s queer soldiers certainly had something to celebrate this weekend. Though pride has been happening for over thirty years, this weekend’s festivities marked the first time Canada’s Armed Services were allowed to march in uniform. And, not surprisingly, the same-sex loving soldiers were thrilled to itty-bits:
“It’s a huge thing for me personally,” said Warrant Officer John McDougall, a parade participant who has been an openly gay member of the military for 13 years. “To be able to be in public and be recognized not just for being a soldier, but for being a soldier who happens to be gay is amazing.”
…
Toronto Pride Executive director Fatima Amarshi said that the Armed Forces initiated their participation in the parade.“We’re all familiar with stories of lesbians and gays in the military and the struggle that they’ve had,” she said. “So for the military to turn around and recognize its soldiers, the diversity within its ranks and the need to have a presence at Pride means a tremendous amount.”
The American military could learn a thing or two from its neighbors to the north.
John Santos
I watched clips of the TO parade on Global News this morning–looking for the BF and me 8^) and sure enough about 80% of the images were of drag queens, half naked men and gyrating twinks and 20% of the images were of military and other uniformed people and average looking people in the march and in the crowds. The presenter even said, “And of course, the parade leaves NOTHING to the imagination!” He spoke with a drag queen about her heels; but didn’t bother to speak to any of the cops who were marching.
Contrary to what those who oppose pride parades say, no matter how “normal” we try to look and act, the media will always search out salacious images to put on TV
CHURCHILL-Y
And a damn shame that’s the case John because those soldiers are more than deserving of any attention. I know they would have mine ;).
fredo777
Canada, you ain’t alone on that, either.
Rawrrrr.
mds
The media is about the only place in Canada where the image of gays can be “manipulated” to have a derogatory slant. I don’t know
how the brass thinks at Global News but it is obvious that they prefer not to show us in any sort of balanced way. But this is Canada and even they have to watch that shit. Just recently a comic playing in B.C. was being heckled by some of the audience which happened to be Lesbian, He yelled back anti-gay slurs and well he is in deep shit right now. Gays are protected from hate speech, I wonder if hate images or images that are designed to distort our image or paint us in a “certain” way are going to be next. Viva la CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS!
RPCV
They deserve recognition. However, whenever Canada has been called on to do any heavy lifting militarily, they’ve always found a quick pacifist route back home. Why do they have a military anyway? Think about it. If anything really happened to them the MEN of the US military would be propping up their weak asses anyway…….
AK Aliant
RPCV, I guess that it would be a shock to you that Canada has 3,000 soldiers in Afghanistan… propping up the US’s under supported asses.
Charles Burke
RPCV – you have no idea what you’re talking about. Since 911, Canada became the second-largest contributor to the NATO-led invasion of Afghanistan, behind the United States. Of the approximately 15,000 Canadian troops who have been stationed in Afghanistan, 2,500 remain as the standard complement as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Also Canada has suffered Canada has suffered the third highest number of combat casualties of any nation in the Allied Force. So yes, more than a little recognition is warranted.
RPCV
Canada wants nothing to do with Iraq, because they’re scared to go there…….. Their military is wimpy.
greybat
Canada is probably not all that interested in bank-rupting itself on unwinnable wars, unlike SOME countries I could mention!
RPCV
Canada is just like all of continental Europe – whenever it’s necessary to defend freedom they hide their heads and asses under the covers…….
Phoenix (the nancy boy, not the Pale one)
RPCV,
Canada isn’t in Iraq because they’re not fucking idiots like the Bush-led U.S.
RPCV
Canada = continental Europe = Pacifists (who always rely on the US to bail out their sorry asses)
mds
RPCV-Canada is not in Iraq because they did not listen Bush’s lies
same as the rest of the world. Why should Canadians go to Iraq so that Bush’s pals at Haliburton can get some contracts and scam off the U.S. citizens? RPCV, there is a great Canadian television show that I think is right up your alley, it is called the “The Trailer Park Boys” and its about people of your mentality and class and I really enjoy watching it as now when I meet like yourself I don’t get so frustrated and bent out of shape It helps me understand why you think like you do and that it’s really not your fault. Cheers!
fri
tens of thousands of innocent afghani civilians, some of the poorest people in the world, were murdered by coalition troops. everyday more kids die and lose limbs from unexploded cluster bombs that are still going off there, and the full effects of the birth-defect-causing depleted uranium left there by munitions is still yet to be seen. in 100 years from now i hope the invasion will be universally remembered as a crime against humanity. aint NOTHING to be proud of. give me drag queens and leather dykes, uniformed war criminals at pride parades make me sick.
mds
No. 14 You remind us of some very important points. I always thought don’t ask and don’t tell should be at the bottom of our gay rights list cause I always thought why the fuck would anyone want to join the military to begin with?
RPCV
May #’s 14 and 15 lose their freedom, live the life of queers furing the Holocause, and burn alive in a Nazi-style crematorium…