Red and White Pride

One week into the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games we've seen some of the highest highs and the lowest lows. There have been tears of joy, sadness, elation and pride.

Despite the negative media reports regarding the weather, venues, technical issues and broken down Zamboni's, one thing that has been shining through at 100% capacity is the pride of the host country.

Sure, not everyone that calls themselves a Canadian is happy with the politics of the games or the money spent that could have gone to other issues within our borders but so what. The money spent is irrelevant when you see Canadians of all walks of life coming together wearing their red & white mittens or Canada "hoodies" and beaming with pride from coast to coast.

We are proud to welcome the world and are thrilled to show off our way of life.

When it comes to results, Canadians have had success and even those that failed to reach the podium have represented the country well and did so with honour and dignity. It is the Canadian way.

But while some think the games are about results and medals, I think it's about so much more than that. Even tonight as I watched Melissa Hollingsworth in tears after failing to medal in the Women's Skeleton, I felt sorry for her because she didn't achieve her goal and she felt as if she'd let the country down. On the contrary, how can anyone who gave it their best effort let anyone down. It just wasn't her day to win.

Win or lose in these games, Canadian athletes, spectators and citizens across this great country are showing the patriotism that Canadians have always had but rarely show publicly. Unlike other nations, we don't need to shout out loud for others to hear all the time. But it is nice to know that at least for these two weeks, the rest of the world is getting a glimpse of the Canada that I know and love.

Show Pride, Not Your Penis

(Please be aware that this brief commentary contains links to images that contain nudity and may be offensive to some readers. If in doubt or nudity offends you, DON'T click the links.)

I've never quite understood why the gay community in Toronto felt it was necessary to have a parade every year to show their pride in being homosexual. I'm heterosexual and to my knowledge there are no parades for us to celebrate our sexual orientation, nor would I need to ride a float to announce it and force it on others.

I'm not against the gay community and I'm not a religious man, I just believe there must be a moral standard we abide by even in these modern times. I have known many gay people and aside from what goes on in their personal lives and having some different interests, we're really the same. In fact, a few of them refuse to attend the parade in Toronto due to the disgusting displays and nudity that is flaunted year after year.

Seriously, if I was to organize a parade in my town and walk down the street with my penis bouncing in the breeze, I'd expect to be arrested. However, in Toronto this is a common occurrence during the Pride Parade and the police seem to look the other way. I guess tourism dollars are more important than enforcing our public decency laws.

Nudity doesn't offend me in the least. I don't have a problem with the human body and I'm certainly not a prude. Perhaps it is my upbringing but I don't understand why these individuals feel compelled to show off their reproductive organs at a public event that underage children can attend. Can't you be a proud gay man or woman without removing your pants? Sure some can...but why can't they all?

The topless women don't bother me or the men who are also topless but wear skimpy bikini briefs. At least they have their most private areas covered.

I don't have a problem with politicians who support the gay community like NDP Leader Jack Layton who actually participates in the parade but where are his moral values? If he is fine with this then I can't respect him and certainly would never vote for him.

If they are going to continue the tradition of the Gay Pride Parade in Toronto then I wish them the best of luck and continued success if they feel that it's necessary. Have fun and bring smiles to those who attend the event. I just wish the organizers would take a stand and force the participants to wear pants at the very least. If that's what it takes to be gay, then I'm glad I was born a heterosexual man.