No Gays For Canadian Guide!
March 7, 2010 by Jason Shaw · Leave a Comment
Jason Kenny, who is Canada’s immigration minister said he took “full responsibility” for the study guide that had all references to gay rights removed. He had previously said he had not taken out mentions of gay rights, milestones and laws. However, it’s now reported in The Canadian Press that as the immigration minister, he takes responsibility – but doesn’t let on just who exactly it was that cut the gayness from the document.
The Canadian Press reports that in draft copies of the guide, which helps immigrants study for citizenship tests, had sections on milestones in gay rights which including decriminalization of homosexuality in 1969 and on same-sex marriage laws, which came into effect in 2005.
Kenney’s homophobic stance has long been known, he has opposed same sex marriage since since this issues was first raised. He spoke out against the Civil Marriage Act, or Bill C-38, when it was debated in the House Of Commons in Feb 2005. At that time, he reportedly told Toronto journalists that gays had every right to marry – as long as it wasn’t someone of the same sex. He repeated his views against gay marriage in 2006 as the new government attempted to repeal the law that allows same sex marriage.
For more on this story visit The Globe & Mail.
Canadian Gay Mayoral Candidate To Adopt
February 16, 2010 by Jason Shaw · 1 Comment
The openly gay politician and his husband, Christ Peloso, have been approved in principle by the Toronto Children’s Aid Society to adopt a child, the couple have been battling for more than two years to adopt a child.
“He’s obviously overjoyed. They recognize it’s a long process and they’re looking forward to moving through that process and ensuring that hopefully their new son … has a loving home.” said spokesman Stefan Baranski.
In a statement released on Sunday, Mr Smitherman said - “Christopher and I are very proud to share the news, despite our overwhelming joy at the prospect of being parents to a beautiful baby boy, we must ask for your complete cooperation in respecting our privacy and the important legal process that governs our potential adoption.”
He stressed that under Ontario law, the adoption is not finalized until the completion of a “carefully planned process.” It’s this process that allows prospective parents to begin a relationship with the child and will take at least six months. “Until that time, our adoption is not official. I look forward to sharing more details when I am able.” Smitherman said.
George Smitherman is Ontario’s first openly gay MPP and he married his businessman partner, Peloso in 2007, some 13 years after the pair met, a full two years after they first met the pair began dating.
The politician is known in Toronto as “Furious George” mainly because of his aggressive political style, he’s served as Ontario’s deputy premier, health minister and energy minister before resigning back in November last year in order to run for mayor.
The possible future mayor of Canada’s biggest city quashed concerns that his new role as father would and could distract him from his work as the potential mayor. He firmly advised that he juggle the responsibilities, just like any other working parent.
Jason Shaw, Brighton, England.
GayAgenda.com’s United Kingdom correspondent.
Jason’s blog The Seafront Diaries, the true life tales from one kooky Brit boy jogging from one mid life crisis to the next without so much as a green camaro or cobalt for transport!
Gay Rights Needed to Join EU
February 16, 2010 by Gay Agenda News Team · Leave a Comment
It is a truly sad commentary on the United States – or the state of Virginia for that matter – that it would not qualify for admission to the European Union because of its failure to have laws that adequately protect its gay citizens from discrimination and bigotry. As UKGayNews reports, non-discrimination protections are “non-negotiable” in the view of the European Parliament. Would that the USA recognized its LGBT citizens as fully human in the same manner and disallowed religious based discrimination in the civil laws. The religious freedom and liberty promised by the U. S. Constitution increasingly are demonstrated to be empty promises for this nations LGBT citizens who continue to suffer from government sanctioned discrimination. Indeed, in North America the real land of the free appears to be Canada, not the USA.
More at: Michael-In-Norfolk!
Olympics Provide Pride Houses for Athletes
February 13, 2010 by Gay Agenda News Team · Leave a Comment
The Olympics is usually a pretty closeted place. But this might be the gayest Olympic Games yet. For starters, there are “Pride Houses” now, which I guess is a safe, fun space for gay athletes to hang out. Sounds great! One of them is in Whistler, a gay vacay center and coincidentally also where Shane left Carmen at the altar and Jenny found that French girl, so there’s bound to be some drama. Just sayin’.
Ok, these Pride Houses sounds pretty awesome and important. Keep in mind it is illegal to be gay in some of the countries represented at the Olympics.
Canada, with marriage equality and socialized medicine seems to be leading the way on being a country that truly takes care of all its citizens.
Former Naval Officer Says Scrap DADT
February 13, 2010 by James Hipps · 1 Comment
From CBS News:
Craig Martin is a lawyer and former naval officer, currently a doctoral candidate and visiting faculty fellow and lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania, doing work in international and comparative law. He is also a Senior Fellow of the Truman National Security Project.
From banking to healthcare, looking to Canada has become fashionable of late. It is also an example on equality rights.
I served as an officer in one of the first Canadian warships to deploy with women among its crew. That was only after a spirited campaign waged by the military against the integration of women in combat roles, in part on the basis that they would undermine the cohesion and fighting effectiveness of combat units. There would be privacy issues, sexual tension, an erosion of the essential masculine warrior ethos, and ultimately a degradation of military effectiveness. All of this was proved false of course.
It was proved false again a few years later, in the early 1990s, when the Canadian military was again forced to adhere to the country’s constitutional values and open its ranks to openly gay and lesbian members. To the extent there was any disruption (and most studies have found there to have been none), it was minor and temporary, as the military sub-culture adjusted very quickly to the new reality – a reality that better conformed to the values of the society the military is sworn to defend.
The experience of Canada, Britain, Israel, Germany, Australia and many other democratic allies of the United States (the troops of which are fighting alongside Americans in Afghanistan) have demonstrated that there is no significant impact on military effectiveness by the integration of gay and lesbian troops. Quite the contrary. As with the admission of women, and racial minorities before that, it broadened the recruitment base and increased the number of highly skilled personnel available to the military. Moreover, to the extent that some think there might still be some disruption of cohesion, it is important to note that the cause would necessarily be the underlying prejudice and homophobia within the military sub-culture.
More after the jump…
