Pride Month

[MoneyGuy]

Not in a large city like Calgary but I'm interested in the views of folks here on whether smaller cities (Cochrane, Airdrie, for example) should recognize Pride Month. Bear in mind that some residents are conservative. On the other hand, we also need to be respectful and inclusive. If you think we should, in what form? Flying a flag, or in some other way?

[FlamesAddiction]

I think people should do whatever they feel is right. If enough people want to organize something, they should be allowed and the municipality should help facilitate it if demand is there.

If the demand isn't there, it would probably be counter-productive for a smaller municipality to spend resources on it.

[blankall]

Everyone should recognize it, regardless of how "conservative" they are. The idea of what it means to be conservative should change. People need to accept that if you are against large government involvement that requires individuals having enough freedom to live the life they want. When you have two consenting adults who choose to be in love with someone of the same gender, the government nor other citizens have no right to stop them.

Pride acknowledges how long it took our society to realize that gay people are entitled to basic human rights. So yes, all communities should acknowledge it. Even if a community is conservative, it's the governments that are paying for their roads, infrastructure, social services, etc... They are all benefiting from being a part of Canada and need to accept that universal human rights are part of being in Canada.

[OMG!WTF!]

I'm not sure there is a should or shouldn't answer. If someone wanted to organize something I'm sure they could. I hope there would be some interest in smaller towns but I wonder if there are relatively smaller LGBTQ populations in smaller towns too. That might make it harder to get bigger events off the ground.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by OMG!WTF!

I'm not sure there is a should or shouldn't answer. If someone wanted to organize something I'm sure they could. I hope there would be some interest in smaller towns but I wonder if there are relatively smaller LGBTQ populations in smaller towns too. That might make it harder to get bigger events off the ground.

You don't necessarily need an event, but you could have education in public schools and set up public service announcements outside government offices, on TV, on the radio, etc...

It's shameful that modern societies put offending religious people over basic human rights when it comes to LGTBQ issues.

[Raekwon]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Not in a large city like Calgary but I'm interested in the views of folks here on whether smaller cities (Cochrane, Airdrie, for example) should recognize Pride Month. Bear in mind that some residents are conservative. On the other hand, we also need to be respectful and inclusive. If you think we should, in what form? Flying a flag, or in some other way?

I moved out of the big city to Airdrie to get away from the gays.

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by blankall

You don't necessarily need an event, but you could have education in public schools and set up public service announcements outside government offices, on TV, on the radio, etc...

It's shameful that modern societies put offending religious people over basic human rights when it comes to LGTBQ issues.

Totally agree. I know a few families out in smaller rural areas and typically the parents are all freaked out about gay people but the kids are totally cool. So I hope schools are doing a good job of at least fixing the next generation. The fourteen year old rednecks I went to school with get teased into oblivion now.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by blankall

You don't necessarily need an event, but you could have education in public schools and set up public service announcements outside government offices, on TV, on the radio, etc...

It's shameful that modern societies put offending religious people over basic human rights when it comes to LGTBQ issues.

I guess it isn't clear what the OP meant by recognize it. I assumed he meant using public resources to have events.

I think public schools should definitely educate the students on LGTBQ issues all year long. And since most radio and TV stations are based in larger centers, it's kind of a moot point.

But I agree that the risk of offending people shouldn't be a consideration if all people are doing is exercising their Charter rights.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Not in a large city like Calgary but I'm interested in the views of folks here on whether smaller cities (Cochrane, Airdrie, for example) should recognize Pride Month. Bear in mind that some residents are conservative. On the other hand, we also need to be respectful and inclusive. If you think we should, in what form? Flying a flag, or in some other way?

Does St. Albert?

[wretched34]

In Lethbridge the LGTBQ community raised private funds, and had a couple crosswalks painted rainbow.
Of course, there are the DBags who believe their rights are more important than others, and are already vandalizing these crosswalks. It's rather sickening.
Not sure why there are still people who believe that others shouldn't have basic human rights because "they're different" when it has absolutely 0 impact on their own lives, aside from "the book that I base my life on says it's bad to be gay", while also preaching tolerance and acceptance....

[OMG!WTF!]

I wish the gay rodeo people were still around. That was an awesome event for rural communities. They had amazing music shows too. I think a one time show in Cochrane would be a great way to get the community out and noticed.

[N-E-B]

Yes they should. If your religion is against it then your religion is stupid and so are you for believing in it.

That this is even a question kind of bothers me.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by wretched34

Not sure why there are still people who believe that others shouldn't have basic human rights because "they're different" when it has absolutely 0 impact on their own lives, aside from "the book that I base my life on says it's bad to be gay", while also preaching tolerance and acceptance....

I agree, but it's worth mentioning that there are non-religious people that are just as ignorant, as well as religious people that support the cause (or don't pay attention either way).

But yeah, I never understood why it should bother anyone. I have to admit, I used to be yokel enough that on the rare occasion that saw same-sex displays of affection publicly, it would distract me a little. Not in a "oh, I hate those guys" way, but it was just something I was not used to seeing I guess. For lack of a better term, I guess I would say that I found it strange. I am totally over that now and I suppose awareness was probably key to that.

[jayswin]

Remember in the mid 2000's on CP when gay marriage debates would actually be like 50/50? Newer members may not believe that, but it was pretty close, it's pretty crazy when you think about it.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

Does St. Albert?

No idea.

[getbak]

Speaking of Pride Month, does anyone know why virtually everywhere else in the world, they do their Pride events in June, but Calgary has its in September?

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by getbak

Speaking of Pride Month, does anyone know why virtually everywhere else in the world, they do their Pride events in June, but Calgary has its in September?

We are a little behind?

Joke. Please don't ban me.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by getbak

Speaking of Pride Month, does anyone know why virtually everywhere else in the world, they do their Pride events in June, but Calgary has its in September?

I want to say historically the weather in June has been lousy which may be why they moved Pride to September. It used to be in June until not that long ago. What I did find ironic when it was in June is the Global Petroleum Show always seemed to be scheduled at the same time as Pride and those two events never seemed to fit together, at least at first glance. I have no idea if this also factored into moving Pride to September however.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

I want to say historically the weather in June has been lousy which may be why they moved Pride to September. It used to be in June until not that long ago. What I did find ironic when it was in June is the Global Petroleum Show always seemed to be scheduled at the same time as Pride and those two events never seemed to fit together, at least at first glance. I have no idea if this also factored into moving Pride to September however.

It could also be a tourism consideration. Maybe June has other things that would compete with it more. Just spitballing.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by getbak

Speaking of Pride Month, does anyone know why virtually everywhere else in the world, they do their Pride events in June, but Calgary has its in September?

Pride events are all over the calendar. The reason being that a lot of people travel for gay pride events, and organizers want to ensure that they get good attendance. They don't want their events to conflict with other pride events. There is no single date.