Pride Month

[afc wimbledon]

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?

In most places Pride Month is in June as it's the anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York, 1969 when the NYPD attempted to shake down the Stonewall Bar in Greenwich Village and the patrons and Gay community decided they had had enough and fought back. its an event as iconic for a huge portion of the human race as Rosa Parks refusing to sit at the back of the bus, I'm actually shocked Pride isn't in June in Calgary

[Minnie]

Airdrie recognizes it. At least, they did this year, for sure. The Airdrie Pride Society made mention of it on their FB page.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Minnie

Airdrie recognizes it. At least, they did this year, for sure. The Airdrie Pride Society made mention of it on their FB page.

Yeah I think I saw them congregating by the Boston Pizza.

[jayswin]

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?

Absolutely they should feel a sense of civic duty to recognize Pride week/month. It's embarrassing that most smaller jurisdictions don't, most feeling pressure from more rural, conservative citizens.

Ask yourself this MoneyGuy - If you were a civic leader in a small municipality would you refuse to acknowledge a world wide celebration for a marginalized minority that of course would make up a percentage of your town/city?

Of course you would, it would be so disrespectful not to.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by 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.

Shamefully, 15 years ago my opinion on the subject was fairly conservative. Sure seems ridiculous to look back on now

[V]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

No idea.

Shouldn't you know, though? I'd expect my Councillor to know what other municipalities in the Capital Region are up to.

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

No idea.

St. Albert Pride is hosting a BBQ this Saturday, June 17 from 3 – 6 p.m. at Lions Park.

http://stalbertpride.ca/

[GGG]

I think a month is too long but I agree with the Principle of municipalities openly celebrating pride events. I think concentrating events around a week makes much more sense from a visibility standpoint.

[PepsiFree]

I think a month is perfect, and I think events that focus on the history of the human rights struggle should be given prominence. It's always good to recognise leaps forward that we, as people, made (and how they happened).

Every city and town (big or small, conservative or not) should recognise pride month. You don't need to force a parade, just recognise the spirit of pride and educate people. Personally, the parades have just become an excuse for "socially progressive points," as I hear more people talk about who did or didn't march than what it's really all about in the first place.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by 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.

assless chaps?

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

assless chaps?

Dude, they had the Village People play. Of course assless chaps.

[icecube]

Originally Posted by 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.

Good to see some progress in LGBTQ issues. Next up is how damn racist this country is, both individual and systemic- especially against our indigenous population.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by OMG!WTF!

Dude, they had the Village People play. Of course assless chaps.

sounds fabulous

[Fuzz]

All chaps are assless.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I think a month is perfect, and I think events that focus on the history of the human rights struggle should be given prominence. It's always good to recognise leaps forward that we, as people, made (and how they happened).

Every city and town (big or small, conservative or not) should recognise pride month. You don't need to force a parade, just recognise the spirit of pride and educate people. Personally, the parades have just become an excuse for "socially progressive points," as I hear more people talk about who did or didn't march than what it's really all about in the first place.

I don't disagree with you, but if it's an entire month, I think I would be more interested in supporting more topics than just pride.

I'd be all for an entire month in Canada which is used to recognize, remember and shed light on equality, support and other facets. June would be perfect. Celebrate movements in our history that brought more equality and acceptance from human populations as a whole. As a balancing factor, also spend time to highlight social support networks in the same was as Bell let's talk for those that need help. You could even use it to highlight inequality and persecution around the world.

Perhaps this idea is a bit aggressive though.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

I don't disagree with you, but if it's an entire month, I think I would be more interested in supporting more topics than just pride.

I'd be all for an entire month in Canada which is used to recognize, remember and shed light on equality, support and other facets. June would be perfect. Celebrate movements in our history that brought more equality and acceptance from human populations as a whole. As a balancing factor, also spend time to highlight social support networks in the same was as Bell let's talk for those that need help. You could even use it to highlight inequality and persecution around the world.

Perhaps this idea is a bit aggressive though.

It is, you'd just muddy the powerful impact of a singular event and lose casual interest and attention.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by jayswin

It is, you'd just muddy the powerful impact of a singular event and lose casual interest and attention.

Yeah, you're probably right.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Yeah, you're probably right.

You have the right idea, imo, just that the general public is generally pretty set in their ways and/or passive to attempts to enlighten or educate.

If you took your idea and placed it into our education system that would do a lot more to change minds over time.

[Lubicon]

Sort of OT but thought this would be as good a place to discuss as it does tie in with Pride and the general discussion with acceptance that this thread is experiencing.

My high school age kids brought their yearbook home yesterday (attend a public high school in Calgary). Most of us are aware the Provincial government dictated that students be allowed to form GSA's in their schools and our school does indeed have an association. It was a little surprising to see a full page in the yearbook dedicated to the group but then again they are a club similar to all the others that had yearbook pages so why not. So no issues with photos of everyone but I did find it interesting that they only published the first names of the students. Everything else (sports teams, other clubs and associations etc.) all had the full name of the students.

I guess my point is that while there has been a lot of progress recently there still is a ways to go too. Clearly there was a reason why they chose not to publish last names.

Just an observation I took away.

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

Sort of OT but thought this would be as good a place to discuss as it does tie in with Pride and the general discussion with acceptance that this thread is experiencing.

My high school age kids brought their yearbook home yesterday (attend a public high school in Calgary). Most of us are aware the Provincial government dictated that students be allowed to form GSA's in their schools and our school does indeed have an association. It was a little surprising to see a full page in the yearbook dedicated to the group but then again they are a club similar to all the others that had yearbook pages so why not. So no issues with photos of everyone but I did find it interesting that they only published the first names of the students. Everything else (sports teams, other clubs and associations etc.) all had the full name of the students.

I guess my point is that while there has been a lot of progress recently there still is a ways to go too. Clearly there was a reason why they chose not to publish last names.

Just an observation I took away.

Did they not publish the last names of the kids under their individual pictures as well?