Flames to walk in Calgary Pride Parade this weekend

[MissTeeks]

No names yet. Jon Cornish will also be there and some Olympians.

http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/canada/calg...rade-1.2747059

"The participation of professional athletes in the Calgary pride parade in such numbers is a milestone. It really challenges that stereotype, not only of Calgary but of Alberta,” said Kristopher Wells, director of the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies at the University of Alberta.

"Whether athletes want to accept it or not they are role models, they are leaders in our society and they are helping to lead one of the most important social justice and human rights movements in our present day.”

[cKy]

Considering Burkes stance on 'do community service or get off my team' and his personal beliefs due to his son, I expect a ton of Flames and Stamps to get out there. Good on them.

[East Coast Flame]

That's awesome news. Good for them.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by fotze

When are they going to walk in the straight parade?

They'll probably walk in a straight line, does that count?

[Badgers Nose]

Neat. Every little bit that promotes inclusion of minorities is a step forward.

[T@T]

I'm actually going to support a couple of friends this year. the look in their eyes when I asked if I could join them this year was hilarious and I've got 4 other mutual straight friends coming as well.

Like one of the girls last birthday get-together it'll likely end up as a big pissup in some gay bar on 7th.

[Minnie]

Good.

Pride's a hoot. Been with my kid the past couple of years - so much fun.

[Finger Cookin]

[getbak]

Gay Pride Marchers: "We're here! We're queer! Get used to it!"

Lisa: "You do this every year! We are used to it!"

[MissTeeks]

Patrick Burke‏@BurkieYCP2 mins

Confirming that Baertschi/Backlund of the Flames, as well as reps from Stamps, Hitmen, and Roughnecks, will be in YYC Pride. #YouCanPlay

Patrick Burke‏@BurkieYCP2 mins

And I'm only confirming that because Big Burkie leaked the story himself.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by cKy

Considering Burkes stance on 'do community service or get off my team' and his personal beliefs due to his son, I expect a ton of Flames and Stamps to get out there. Good on them.

I would hope that they are walking in this event of their own accord.

[MissTeeks]

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/ca...968/story.html

“I’m in Toronto this weekend, otherwise I would be there, larger than life,” said the Calgary Flames’ president of hockey operations Wednesday.
In the world of professional hockey, Burke is larger than life, and in recent years he has used his high profile to advocate for LGBT rights.
Earlier this year, he marched in the Toronto Pride Parade alongside Flames captain Mark Giordano and centre Sean Monahan.
“For a player like Gio to march in that parade, it was a major statement,” said Burke. “I think the athletes can bring a lot of weight and attention to the issue.”

The cause is personal for Burke, whose gay son Brendan was killed in a car crash in 2010. But he also said it’s important for the Flames as a team to show solidarity with the LGBT community.
“When we open our doors for a hockey game or we open our dressing room doors, everyone is welcome.”

While the LGBT community has made “profound” gains, Burke said there’s still a lot of ignorance and fear in sports. Gay slurs are still common.
“It’s habitual, it’s not a judgment about a person’s sexuality. A guy knocks you down from behind in a game and what’s the biggest rock you can throw?”

Stampeders running back Jon Cornish, whose mother is a lesbian, is expected to join the Calgary Sexual Health Centre float.
Pam Krause, the organization’s executive director, said his involvement makes him a great role model for young people.
“You see someone who you consider a hero say ‘It’s important that people can be out and all of us in society support them.’ That goes a long way,” she said, adding Burke’s work has been “astonishing.”

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Patrick Burke‏@BurkieYCP2 mins

Confirming that Baertschi/Backlund of the Flames, as well as reps from Stamps, Hitmen, and Roughnecks, will be in YYC Pride. #YouCanPlay

Patrick Burke‏@BurkieYCP2 mins

And I'm only confirming that because Big Burkie leaked the story himself.

Haha! So its confirmed that Burke likes to leak stories to the press then.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by fotze

When are they going to walk in the straight parade?

[polak]

Originally Posted by Zevo

Is it just me or does Glencross really love Calgary? It seems like he does.

Or is it just Ranchmans?

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by polak

Is it just me or does Glencross really love Calgary? It seems like he does.

Or is it just Ranchmans?

He very active on the chuck scene. I met him in the barns after the chuckwagons this year at stampede as he was running the horses for the chuck that my company sponsors.

I fed some of his horses mints with his daughters. Very stand up and all around nice guy from what I took away.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by getbak

Gay Pride Marchers: "We're here! We're queer! Get used to it!"

Lisa: "You do this every year! We are used to it!"

This. It's cool that the Flames are going to do this but they do it every year. The only reason this would be noteworthy is if one of them was doing it in heals because he came out of the closet.

[N-E-B]

I love all the community involvement the Flames have been doing since Burke took over.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Poe969

This. It's cool that the Flames are going to do this but they do it every year. The only reason this would be noteworthy is if one of them was doing it in heals because he came out of the closet.

The Flames as an organisation have been participating, but having some actual Flames players is different (I think) and noteworthy.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Poe969

This. It's cool that the Flames are going to do this but they do it every year. The only reason this would be noteworthy is if one of them was doing it in heals

Now that would be a laugh.