AndrewR,
This is one of those definitive differences between Canadian and Americans and even some Canadians (hope that makes sense). The Gay Pride parade in Toronto has gone mainstream. Our mayor (with an approval rating pushing 90%) has even started officially attending the event. I don't think any reasonable Torontonian here sees it as an opportunity for gays and lesbians to stick their business in our faces. I think everybody sees it for what it is: a chance for gays and lesbians to say they are proud of who they are and to celebrate the inroads they've made into society - because not too long ago they were forced to suck in their pride and not be who they were. Many people 0are still uncomfortable with it (I personally wouldn't attend it...just cuz it's so damn crazy and I'm not that crazy of a party animal). The media has been trying to stir up controversy here about gay marriages recently and oddly enough the only people that truly seem to care about it are the government since it'll cost them! The Religious Right won't recognize these marriages but then again, they don't recognize a lot of marriages that are deemed legal under the law (i.e. divorcees that get married and such).
-GL
This is one of those definitive differences between Canadian and Americans and even some Canadians (hope that makes sense). The Gay Pride parade in Toronto has gone mainstream. Our mayor (with an approval rating pushing 90%) has even started officially attending the event. I don't think any reasonable Torontonian here sees it as an opportunity for gays and lesbians to stick their business in our faces. I think everybody sees it for what it is: a chance for gays and lesbians to say they are proud of who they are and to celebrate the inroads they've made into society - because not too long ago they were forced to suck in their pride and not be who they were. Many people 0are still uncomfortable with it (I personally wouldn't attend it...just cuz it's so damn crazy and I'm not that crazy of a party animal). The media has been trying to stir up controversy here about gay marriages recently and oddly enough the only people that truly seem to care about it are the government since it'll cost them! The Religious Right won't recognize these marriages but then again, they don't recognize a lot of marriages that are deemed legal under the law (i.e. divorcees that get married and such).
-GL
