Glee, McHomophobia, BBC Says No Gay Sex, Gender Neutral School, and Vancouver Pride.

Well, what have I learned today? To sum it up? Hate is fuelled by ignorance, love conquers all, and drugs do indeed kill.

(PS. My second favourite weekend is almost here! Vancouver Pride is being celebrated on Sunday, July 31^st, and my posse of Calgarian Sapphic sisters are making the 10 hour drive through the Rockies to help celebrate! And, just in case you want to know what my favourite weekend is, well that is Calgary Pride – September long weekend.)

GLEE’s Apparently Doomed Characters Are Not So Doomed After All

If you are that two percent of the population that does not watch GLEE, you may not have heard that major characters, Lea Michelle (Rachel), Chris Colfer (Kurt), and Cory Monteith (Finn) would be singing their swan song at the end of this season. Well, consider these rumours false. According to GLEE co-creator Brad Falchuk “Cory, Lea, Chris, they are seniors and so they are graduating. But because they are graduating doesn’t mean they’re leaving the show. I always say, if you have Lea Michele under contract, you don’t just say, ‘You know what? We’re gonna let you go.’” Smart move Falchuk.

For those Brittana fans (me being number one), Falchuk confirms what we were all thinking. “How did we get so lucky to have those two actresses?” How do you keep those fine actresses? Keep the story relevant and lesbian Falchuk.

Via @ Afterellen.com

McDonald’s New Zealand Favours Family over Freedom of Speech

It is another sad and transparent attempt to claim Family Values. McDonald’s New Zealand is under fire for its blockage of LGBT content in its free WiFi service offered to its customers. GayNZ.com reported that their own sites, as well as other sites that serve the queer community were filtered out as “inappropriate’ by the WiFi system in over 130 locations.

The New Zealand AIDS foundation tested out this rumour by sending its staff throughout these locations to see for themselves if they were blocked. Indeed they were. “These sites contain essential information about support services, safe sex and sexual health,” the Foundation says. “With a vast network of restaurants across New Zealand and affordable food, free WiFi at McDonald’s is likely to be utilized by New Zealanders who are needing support, help and information about sexuality and good sexual health.” God knows, I have considered safe sex while eating a Big Mac. McDonald’s said that they will review these websites.

Via @ LGBTnews.com

BBC Does Not Like Gay Sex

And we thought the British were all sex and bad teeth. Apparently this isn’t the case for the powers that be at BBC. A television station that is publically funded (think CBC) is rarely as progressive as familiar networks such as Showcase and Bravo. To appease the funding powers that be, BBC has decided to censor a male to male sex scene in the show Torchwood. Regardless of its integrity to the story line, BBC won’t budge.  The star of the show and one of the participants in the sex scene John Barrowman is not at all impressed with the censorship. “It’s not gratuitous sex…You go back into history with Jack and you discover an integral relationship that is part and parcel to what is happening. It’s a massive story.” Massive or not, this openly bisexual character will not be allowed to showcase the relationship. Not all is lost however for Canadian fans of the show. CTV’s Space Network will be airing the series uncensored on Tuesday nights. UK 0: Canada 1.

via@LGBTnews.com

Swedish School Says No To Gendering

A preschool school in Sweden has decided to obliterate gender norms by ignoring gender. The Egalia preschool in Stockholm says its goal is to free children from social expectations based on their sex. What is not allowed at Egalia? Pronouns suchas ‘him’ and ‘her’. What is permitted? Well that is based on the child themselves. If a boy decides to wear a dress to school, not a problem. If a girl decides she would rather play with GI Joe than Barbie, so be it.  Every inch of the school has been carefully designed and chosen to reflect gender neutrality. Storybooks are never about ‘girls’
or ‘boys’. Instead of Cinderella, one can read The Wiggles instead. All the toys are placed side-by-side, trucks next to dolls, so children can chose what to play with on their own without any restrictions.

Lotta Rajalin, creator of the program wants children to become who they are without rules to go by. “We want to give the whole spectrum of life, not just half – that’s why we are doing this. We want the children to get to know all the things in life, not to just see half of it.” This school has had its fair share of opponents, but this has not stopped registration into the school. The wait list is growing by the day.

Via @ LGBTnews.com

Vancouver Pride is Happening This Weekend!

A funny thing happens in Vancouver on the August long weekend. No, it’s not riot time, it’s the second largest Pride celebration in Canada! People from  Saskatoon to Victoria pack up their vehicles to celebrate in one of the greatest shows on Earth. With an estimated 750,000 guests the parade can average around 3 hours and travels through Vancouver’s Gaybourhood (Davie and Denman) and finishes along the beach at English Bay. There is an afternoon full of entertainment and vendors to suit your every need (last year I saw a guy put 12 grapes in his foreskin as a way of promoting anti-circumcision.) If that isn’t your thing, don’t worry (it wasn’t mine either) there is plenty more going on, and fantastic eye candy. Make sure you make it early to grab a seat as the sidewalks fill up fast. Look for me when you are there! I will be the hot lesbian marching in the parade along with my Calgary colleagues behind the Pride Calgary banner!

www.vancouverpride.ca