CANADA'S CAPITAL SHOWS ITS PRIDE!!

"O Canada!" 35000 people came out to celebrate Pride in Canada's Capital Ottawa this past weekend. Woot Woot!!

Rainbow flags of all shapes and sizes wound their way through Ottawa with the 35,000 people who turned out for Ottawa's 19th annual gay pride parade Sunday afternoon.

Thousands of spectators gathered to watch around 1,200 members of the city's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community and their supporters, some elaborately costumed and others scantily clad, march along Wellington Street to city hall as part of the final day of Capital Pride, their week-long annual community festival.

Julien Lavoie, a spokesman for Capital Pride, said the parade, which paused at the Supreme Court and the Parliament Buildings, was partly intended to send a political message.

He said those Ottawa buildings are the sites of major battles for gay and lesbian rights.

"So it's important for us to keep remembering that and celebrating those victories," he said.

"And then it also has kind of a looking-forward message, saying maybe this is not enough and maybe there's still some inequalities that gays and lesbians face."

Capital Pride closed Sunday night after a day of concerts at the Festival Plaza. [SOURCE]

Thats Brilliant. So Excited to see that many come out. I know Ottawa is not so populated as Montreal or Toronto but hey.. at least they had a good showing!!

REGGAE ARTISTS WANT SOME "STRAIGHT" PRIDE

So I am not sure if everyone on this blog is up to date with the issue of reggae music and the gay community. Its well known that the reggae community frown on gays and the way they live by proclaiming hate into their lyrics. Known hateful bigots in the reggae industry include Elephant Man, Beanie Man and Sizzla.

Now don't get me wrong, not all reggae artists are like this but its getting to the point where the LGBTQ community are scared of these hateful mongrels. I just don't understand the hate... I really dont.. But read the article below and come to your conclusion about the reggae industry:

A group of reggae artists, backed by their record label, will openly embrace their heterosexuality this upcoming Labor Day weekend.

"The Straight Pride Parade is a chance for Heterosexuals to gather together and proudly embrace their sexuality," said reggae artist Jango Fresh. "The Parade will also allow reggae and dancehall fans who are in New York City for the Labor Day celebrations to get together and celebrate reggae, dancehall and family in love and unity."

Before i leave this one post.. I do have something to say. I am all for Straight Pride if they really want it but only if they are willing to be open to everyone and be inclusive. I find Gay Pride so inlcusive to everyone; Straight, Bi, Gay, Black, Green or Blue.. It doesn't matter.. So if this Straight Pride is to proclaim hate then someone must stop it because its so uncalled for.

One Reggae artist that i do find great and writes actually good lyrics is Juno Award Winning artist Blessed.. Canadian's own Reggae star.

Check him out on his MYSPACE
www.myspace.com/blessedvibes

BUDAPEST PRIDE TURNED U-G-L-Y!!!

In a previous post, I was talking about Bomb threats happening in Budapest due to the festivities of Pride. Well it seems like it did turn quite ugly during their pride festival this past Saturday. 45 people were taken into custody and 10 others were injured during the parade. It seems that the community still has some far steps to take before they will be able to parade like that do here in Canada or the U.S. Its a shame really. Read below:

About 450 people took part in the march in central Budapest when extremists began throwing explosive devices, eggs, cobblestones and bottles at police and the marchers.

Police seized chemicals and Molotov cocktails from a six-member group waiting for the demonstrators in an uninhabited flat along the route of the march.

Liberal member of Parliament Gabor Horn was hit and a police car carrying former undersecretary Gabor Szetey -- the first openly gay Hungarian politician -- and member of the European Parliament Katalin Levai was also attacked, Hungarian news agency MTI reported.

Three media trucks were damaged by protesters.

Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the extremists gathering around the fenced-off marchers in Heroes' Square. The demonstrators could leave the scene in a corridor leading to an underground station. [SOURCE]

If you want to read more of the story click the SOURCE link above. This isn't very Happy Monday stuff to be reading eh? I hope i find more happy stuff as the day goes on.. Stay Tuned!!

BOMB ATTACK ON GAYS IN BUDAPEST

I don't want to be the bearer of bad news but this is just ridiculous. I don't understand all the hate in the world. This comes from Budapest a few days before the Gay Pride Parade being held this Saturday:

(Budapest) For the second time in less than a week a gay business has been firebombed.

Police said that one person was injured Wednesday night when Molotov cocktails were thrown into a gay sauna in the Hungarian capital. Last Friday a similar attack occurred at a gay bar.

Police said that one person was injured in Wednesday's attack. There were no injuries in the bombing on Friday.

Wow.. Nuts eh? It seems like Police officials were not in favour for the parade at first but have given the ok for now to continue with the festivities. However, Budapest officials have given far right group permission to stage a protest against LGBT community this Saturday... A Little ironic no?? Its like they are saying yes do the parade but don't come screaming if there is a lot of protests going on.. Keep Reading:

The group, Rendszervalto, has posted on its Web site an appeal for "Hungarian patriots" to go to the counter march.

"We will not tolerate foreign perverts of whatever color forcing their alien and sick world onto Hungary," the posting said. It called for "healthy and morally acceptable people" to show that Hungary 's future can only be secured by "productive pair relationships, reproducing and well-functioning families". [SOURCE]

Well i hope someone comes in and intervenes because this is getting out of hand. When people are being blown up because of their sexuality then we have a problem.. Wait.. let me rephrase that.. people being blown up.. period.. should not be tolerated at all!!

CANADIAN SOLDIERS REPRESENT IN TORONTO'S PRIDE PARADE 2008

A Couple days late but i wanted to post this because this is another example of why being Canadian rocks!!! This past Sunday, members of Canada's Armed Forces represented the military in Toronto's annual Gay Pride parade For the first time.

Lt. Steven Churm, one of 10 soldiers from across the country who marched in
uniform, said their presence sends a message that the Canadian military is
inclusive and an equal-opportunity employer.

"The message to the public is that the Canadian Forces is an employer of
choice. We have employment opportunities that people can pursue, regardless of
gender identity, sexual orientation," he told CBC News.

"For our own members, they can be proud of what they're doing and also be proud of who they are."

To mark its place in the festivities, the Canadian Forces set up an information booth in an area of the city where thousands of people gathered for the start of the parade. [SOURCE]

Pride 2008 in Toronto was amazing. Great time with my friends and boyfriend. Shout out to my friends Chris, Jenia, Ashley, Denis and even Kathryn who showed up.. and to my friend Mike who is all the way in the Philippines, you were missed this year!!

Pride was SWEET!!