The Sojourner

Pride Parade in the Gay Capital of the World

My friend cum blog correspondent, Rebekah in the USA, sent me this email attached with photos about what happened during the Pride Parade that happened in sunny San Francisoco, California last weekend.

I was supposed to be there! 

Gorgeous Rebekah and her delicious hubby, Maxime, and fabulous me agreed to combine our power for this year's Pride at Cali. We had this agreement kissed, sealed and hugged even before we said our respective farewells in Beijing last year. But, shit happened.

When I arrived here in Toronto at the beginning of this month, I was told that I have to wait for my Permanent Residence card which will be issued 4-5 weeks after my arrival.

So, there---my excitement was killed off and my fierceness didn't work at the US Embassy. :))

Here's Rebeka for her report from the field. Come in, Rebekah. Are you there?

Hey there sexy man! 

I miss you so much and wish we could have celebrated pride together this year.  Alas, the stars were not aligned.  But, we did have a wonderful day at the PRIDE PARADE and here is a little tidbit of what we saw and my take on the Pride parade.

The parade kicked off at 10:30 SHARP (which was kind of early for my taste, but I dragged my butt out of bed anyway).  Once we got downtown, I was really surprised at how packed the streets were with people.  The first group to come down the road were the Dykes on Bikes; followed by Mikes on Bikes.  A very fun and LOUD way to pep up the morning.

After them, the parade was filled with sponsors, LGBT community organizations, schools that support children of same-sex couples, churches, banks, politicians… It was a long list of supporters and it was nice to see the diversity of the city.

A large chunk of the parade was dedicated to honoring those couples who have been together for decades and those who were married during that brief time when same-sex marriage was allowed in California.  And it was amazing to see so many devoted couples throughout the day.  Also, a big spot in the middle of the parade was for families and their children.  It was so cute to see so many little ones.  Of course, after a few hours, most were passed out asleep!


The BACKSTREET BOYS!!! also made an appearance and were going to perform on the stage at the after-party.  They drove right by me but by the time I noticed, I didn't get a really picture.

The flags were amazing!  So colorful and bright.

And the show wouldn't be complete without a little love from the BDSM crowd!  I have to admit, I was a little scared watching them pass by.

The Civic Center was absolutely PACKED with revelers.  It reminded me of being back in China, except that there were rainbows and glitter all over the place.

Such a great day and I can't wait to do it all over again next year!

THANK YOU. NOW, I KNOW WHAT I MISSED OUT.

Queers Question the Police

Less than a hundred people (my estimate) showed up at 519 Church Street Community Center to protest how the police dealt with the protesters during the G20 Rally that happened last weekend.

Below is the the text of a document which was passed around yesterday afternoon.

Police brutality against queers and trans people?
BILL BLAIR HAS GOT TO GO!

4:30 p.m. / June 29, 2010 / 519 Church Street Community Center
Amidst call for his resignation, today Police Chief Bill Blair is speaking at The 519 to celebrate "Toronto Police Pride" ...

Queer and trans people are NOT proud of Toronto Police Services, whose shameful conduct was highlighted during the G20. We REFUSE to be used in "pink-washing" attempts to cover-up police brutalities against marginalized communities everyday of the year!

This weekend, during the largest mass arrest in Canadian history...

- police separated queers into separate cages in the detention centre.
- police threatened detainees with gang-rape.
- police sexually harassed detainees.
- male police strip-searched women.
- transphobic, racist police targeted racialized people and trans people
- police denied detainees ASL interpretation or access to medicine.
- police humiliated detainees including minors: made to urinate in front of others, hands bound, denied toilet paper, denied pads or tampons, etc...
- police violated of basic rights of 1,000 from all walks of life.



Protest the "day-to-day" violence that homophobic, sexist, racist, transphobic, ablist police perpetrate against first nations/inuit peoples, the poor, sex workers, racialized folks, disabled people, drugs users, queers, transfolk, newcomers to Canada, people without status, street-involved people.
DON'T LET POLICE USE "PRIDE" TO HIDE POLICE VIOLENCE!

Teach me

If you can't find her to teach you, let me know. 

I can. Not just getting kissable lips but a lot more. ;)

G20 Protesters

I sort of narrated yesterday on what happened on the protest march.

Today, I'm gonna put the pictures of people who laboured much on their banners and posters hoping that the issues they raised will be known not just to the government but also to the people around them.

I don't need more narratives and descriptions, I'll let their posters/banners do the talking.

G20 Protest March

The G20 Protest March in Toronto yesterday ended up, generally speaking, peaceful. It should be...because the government spent 1 Billion Dollars for security alone and dispatched 19,000 police officers across the city.

Imagine that! One Billion Dollars! That's MAYBE like the consolidated whole annual budget of 5 countries in Asia or Africa. Or maybe more.

Despite the rain that poured uncessantly from morning to half-way during the march in the afternoon, protesters were not threatened. They came in droves, in hundreds, in thousands. No rain can stop a burning heart to change the world. No rain can stop the flaming desires of young minds to fight what they believe are unfair and unjustified.

But, just when I thought it was a boring march (because of the lack of radical action), a friend sent me a text message that some protesters were burning a police car around Bay and Yong Streets. I just started feeding myself with Thai food when the news came. As much as I wanted to check it out but my my hunger was something that needed urgency and my legs were as exhausted as my body. The protest march alone was a looooooong way and after that I walked from Queen's Park to Yonge because the subway was closed and buses were not in service.

Protesters were actually civil. Armed police officers were more civil than us, actually. We hurled invectives at them but they just ignored us. Ten minutes after the parade started, I saw some people sniffing marijuana. I saw it. Four guys in their black hoods were literally in front of me and asked me if I wanted. I just smiled and said, "No, thanks." But, I did smell it in the air. And that was when I smelled TROUBLE. It didn't happen in the parade, but it did happen AFTER. Too bad, I missed the violence. ;)

 

There were political chants and songs as we marched. There was guy who climbed and trespassed the heavily-fenced area and challenged the police. He was, of course, arrested while we watched and screamed and booed the policemen. It was a good show of courage and force. 

There was  this one good-looking guy, too, who crossed the police line. He unzipped and took down his pants and showed them his bubble butt! That was my favorite part of the march. Awesome! Proud to be a witness! :))

Issues raised in the protest were all clearly written in posters and banners that came in different sizes, opinions, facts, colors, seriousness and humour.

These girls were, perhaps, the most fashionable protesters who came in Queen's Park. They didn't join the march. They came later and people swarmed around them for pictures. They posed, of course, like trying-hard models. Bravo, girls!

Insert Butt

I know you don't see the cigarette. :))

If you are feeling shitty, you know exactly where to deposit your incredible shit! Hahahahaha...

Cute butthole right there, yeah? :))

Found in Eglinton East, Toronto, Canada

AIDS Candlelight Vigil

Before the GLBT Community in Toronto will celebrate the Pride Week fabulously---starting today---, the community remembers their fallen comrades who died of AIDS at The AIDS Memorial in Cawthra Square Park in Church Street.

In a solemn remembrance of those who died, people from all walks of life came together to honor them with songs, words, prayers and candles.

It was my first to be in such a vigil. When individuals were allowed to speak the name/s of their fallen friends, relatives, family members who died of the dreadful disease, my heart stopped for a moment. The guy who stood next to me said two names and I just froze there. Then, tears formed around my eyes but they never trickled down. I controlled them obviously. I don't know what engulfed me but I did visualize the faces of people I saw in an AIDS documentary I saw. They came back to me clearly and it was as if my throbbing heart was chained. I cried aplenty in that documentary. I don't even remember the title of it now.

AIDS excuses no one. Not even an innocent child. It is a disease that caused the death of millions of lives around the world. And there are still a lot more who are suffering now.

It is something that the G8 / G20 leaders should also talk about when they convene here this Saturday, June 26.

I remember a time in China when we talked about AIDS in the classroom. Though they have heard it before, I asked my students if what comes to their mind when they read AIDS. Nobody answered voluntarily but I can see in their eyes that it's something they don't wanna talk about. It was like something forbidden.

Then, I called a student to answer. But, before he opened his mouth, he looked at everybody first and said, "gays."

Everybody smiled---as if, they got the right answer to the question. I asked everybody if that's what they were thinking and without shyness, they responded, "Yes" in unison. 

I told them to close their book and for a couple of minutes, I did my job of truly educating them. :)

PRIDE Toronto turns 30!

Yeah, right, Pride Toronto turns 30 and I'll be on it---my very first ever Pride Parade! Yohoooo!!!

The Pride Week will officially kick off tomorrow and ends on the first week of July.

This year's PRIDE steals the spotlight for disallowing the term ISRAEL APARTHEID in the Pride March. While Pride Toronto believes it's for the security of the community, others argued it's censorship.

Yesterday, June 23, Pride Toronto wrote on their website that they NO longer restrict language in the Parade.

To quote:

Pride Toronto has announced that its recent resolution to restrict the use of certain language during the 2010 Parade has been replaced by the requirement that each participating group read, sign and agree to abide by the City of Toronto's Declaration of a Non-Discrimination Policy, and that all groups that uphold this policy are welcome to participate in the 2010 Pride Parade.

So, there, I hope everybody will be there.

The show must go on, sistahs!

The Opening Ceremonies will be at WOODY's, 9:00 p.m.
Everybody's invited. FREE.


For the complete guide and schedule, go to www.pridetoronto.com



Photo credits: PRIDE TORONTO

Beijing PRIDE

My comrades in Beijing celebrated PRIDE last Saturday with pomp, colors, glitters, pageantry, sequins, drag performances and lots of fun-----in the most fabulous way of all.

Though without a Parade, it's a good start. It was not a public celebration, of course. China will get there on the streets someday. Someday..... I just don't know how long would that be.

Judging from the photos sent to me by an Italian comrade, the celebration was more fun than last year. And I guess, every year would always top than the last. I just hope no one would alert the police. :)

May you have more PRIDE celebrations, Comrades!

Related article:

CHINA's First Gay Pride

Poutine

I first read it in Toronto CS group thread when a guy asked the members where he could find the best poutine in the city.

Then, I saw a pic of it in a KFC fastfood chain. It didn't look good to me so I didn't waste my dollar on it.

Last night, after I attended my first CS Meeting in Toronto, a guy offered me and a Spanish guy a lift home (I live around his area). But, before that, we dropped off at Sneaky Dee's, sort of a diner, to grab a bite.

I wasn't really hungry because I had lunch with other Filipinos who prepared so much food like there was fiesta. Boy, there was lechon (roasted pig) in there! So... I just a hot chocolate. Weird order, yeah? :))

One ordered a Mexican dish. Another one had a poutine.

Poutine is a staple food originated in Quebec. It is basically french fries drowned in brown gravy and cheese curd.

I had a bite or two, I think. Looking at the picture, you can already tell if it's glorious food or not. :)