News 1: Flag goes up on week of Pride
Fearless now comes in a new colour — rainbow. Pride Week is in full swing today, as more than 300 politicians and supporters raised the rainbow flag at City Hall yesterday to kick off the cultural festival for Toronto’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer communities. This year’s theme is “fearless,” a play on how far the event has come since it began 26 years ago. “Toronto ... is at the forefront of creating a compassionate community,” Mayor David Miller said. “I encourage everyone to join us in this fabulous celebration .” From artists to the massive parade along Yonge Street on Sunday, the festivities promise to be the typical hip-gyrating good time, but Coun. Kyle Rae said politics and partying do not mix. Rae denounced the Conservative government crackdown on the gay marriage issue and feared that rights such as adoption would be taken away. “What’s different this year is partly the threat from the federal government surrounding marriage,” Rae said. “Although there is an underlying political undertone , it is a celebration.”
- Astrid Poei, 24 hours
transgender? queer communities?
denounce: 指责、抨击
crackdown: 镇压、打击
underlying: (躺在下面的),当然就是“潜在的”的意思
undertone:
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Activists protest over honour to ethicist
Gay-rights activists and others protested today as renowned ethicist Margaret Somerville received an honorary degree from Ryerson University. In her acceptance speech, Somerville acknowledged her views against same-sex marriage have caused unhappiness. She apologized for causing distress, but not for her views. Protesters said they drew no comfort from Somerville’s words. They insisted it was inappropriate for the university to honour her. Somerville has condemned same-sex marriage and artificial insemination for lesbians, but insists she is not against gay people.
“Some people are hurt by some of my views,” Somerville told the convocation ceremony . “Although I believe that
I must stand by those views, I genuinely regret the hurt that causes them.”
That wasn’t good enough for many in the audience or demonstrating outside. “Homophobia is not honorary,” said one protester. “It shouldn’t be celebrated by granting an honorary degree.”
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PRIDE WEEK EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
● Gala Awards Dinner:
Tonight, Distillery,
Fermenting Cellar, 6:30
p.m.
● AIDS Candlelight
Vigil : Thursday, June
22, Cawthra Square
Park/AIDS Memorial
area, 9-10 p.m.
● Family Pride: Saturday
and Sunday,
June 24 and 25,
Church St. Junior
Public School, 11 a.m.-
6 p.m.
● Dyke March: Saturday,
June 24, parade
begins at Isabella
and Church streets at
2 p.m.
● Pride Parade:
Sunday, June 25, parade
starts at Bloor
and Church Streets at
2 p.m. |