How many politicians can you recall that are homosexual, transsexual or bisexual outside of George Smitherman's Toronto Center riding? How many hockey players have come out of the equipment stuffed closet? Do any Canadian actors come to mind or famous personalities? What about other institutions like unions, churches, community groups or civic
Canada celebrates being a tolerant nation yet can we claim that when people of different sexual orientations are hidden from society?
Does having the Pride Parade in Toronto make us progressive when people around the country perhaps most visibly in Alberta want to remove homosexual rights?
We need to ask these questions or else people of different sexual orientations or gender identities will be continued to be discriminated against.
It's not a question of what if but what now.
That's a great point you noted here, but I agree and somewhat disagree at the same time. The reason being? Well if we look at this homosexual issue specifically in Canada, then we're still better off than the U.S because in Canada we're still somewhat accepting not only as considerate fellow human beings but also at a governmental level where the political figures in general are accepting to homosexual behavior with Alberta being the specific exception. I guess currently Alberta is on the other side of the spectrum in terms of acceptance to homosexuality in comparison to other provinces. But perhaps over time this might change. However, as I mentioned earlier, yes..in my opinion I would say we're still very fortunate enough to live in a country like Canada where homosexuality is still generally if not fully accepted. If we compare Canada's acceptance to homosexuality to America's resistance and opposing to this issue, we definitely see a huge difference because in America even at a governmental level homosexuality is still given inconsiderate perspectives. Nevertheless, it's still perhaps much better than the past when in America people guilty of homosexual feelings or acts were punished brutally. But even today, homosexuality isn't widely accepted in America only in the media it might appear due to some celebrities opening up about their "so-called" homosexual relationships. But then again I feel that they only do that to grab attention of their viewers and fans out there.
ReplyDeleteI admit that were not as intolerant in the United States however let's keep mind that if you do not live in a big city like Toronto, Calgary or Vancouver and you go farther out to a small town homosexuality is uncommon.
ReplyDeleteIf I was the only homosexual in a community or even my family I may feel isolated, socially restricted and culturally dismissed.
So, although Canada may be more accepting we still need to educate citizens especially in small communities about non-heterosexual relationships. To prevent more incidents of hate or discrimination.