In 1969, the year gay Americans were fighting back against police harassment and discrimination at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, the prime minister of Canada was signing legislation that very same year legalizing homosexual acts in the nation of Canada. Homosexual acts even in California were not legal until 1976. Indeed the great nation of Canada has been at the forefront of LGBT civil rights and equality for so long that they make us look like the nation of the dark ages.
I’ve been coming to Canada since the 1970s, attending meetings, charity events, conferences, speaking at rallies, etc. I have been blessed to make longtime friends and two of them being gay Canadian men who have been honored by the Queen of England herself! I love Canada and its people and especially its wonderful diverse LGBT community.
I’ve had the honor of meeting and getting to know chiefs and leaders of the proud “First Nation” communities (Indian Americans are their brothers and sisters) of their large Asian communities. Canada also has some of the best health care in the world – for all its citizens. This is another thing we Americans could learn from our friends in the north. LGBT Canadians can marry and were able to serve in their nation’s armed forces long before us and I have gotten to meet some of their openly gay elected officials including members of the Canadian Parliament.
This past week I spent five days in Canada (Surrey and Vancouver) speaking at a Canadian Courts Summit and charity events. I presented awards to some outstanding LGBT Canadian activists and met more wonderful people.
One issue that we Americans and Canadians share is our concern and growing focus on our LGBT youth that are “coming out” at younger ages and by the thousands. Bullying of our LGBT youth is worldwide and we must make all issues facing them a top priority.
I was honored to announce for the second year a grant for “Youth for Change” (13-19 years) from the Imperial Courts. It was nice seeing First Nation Chief Byron Longclaws of the Council of Elders.
During my visit to Canada my host was former City Council candidate Martin Rooney. I will be returning to Canada soon, probably to the cities of Edmonton and Hamilton. I just love Canada and its wonderful people!
Let the Chargers go
Once again, Charger fan hopes are up and excited over this week’s task force proposal for a new stadium and keeping the football team here. While we should be appreciative for the hard work and dedication of the Citizens Stadium Advisory Group and our Mayor Kevin Faulconer I really don’t believe this will all work out and as I predicted in this column years ago, I still predict that the Chargers want and will leave San Diego.
Face the facts folks, the owners of the Chargers have lied and deceived us and would really like to move to Los Angeles/Hollywood where they could make millions more and be in a bigger media/celebrity city. Who can blame them, but they haven’t been honest and upfront with San Diego especially these last two years.
They should just put thousands of San Diegans out of their high hopes and misery and do what they really would like to do! Move to Los Angeles. All I have to say is, “Bye Felicia!”
