Vancouver PrideHouse is opened by the group, Gay Whistler, exclusively. They are not in anyway, officially associated with the IOC or VANOC. So why are we celebrating it? Are you telling me that simply being allowed to have a gay friendly space co-exist and not forced to shut down, while the Olympics are in the same city, is a victory?
Anybody could have opened a Gay friendly space in Vancouver, while the Olympics are in town. I view this as a stark reminder of how anti-gay the IOC still is and not a victory at all.
I wonder what Dr. Tom Waddell, the gay man who was sued the the Olympic committee for using the term "Gay Olympics? would think if he were still alive today?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Waddell
Has anyone ever provided such a space before during any Olympics -- whether official or not? If the answer is "no," then it's a victory.
But why should/would PrideHouse be associated with the Olympics? I would think that it was better that it was not run by the IOC, as it would then be muddled with politics. It seems rather enterprising that some organization has set up the venue--just as businesses in Vancouver are trying to capitalize on tourists.
What concerns me is how certain "community" forces, are trying to make this look like a Pro-Gay Olympics.
All this talk about how it is a first, the "gayest Olympics ever". This is smoke screening. So a gay group opened a venue for gay athletes, while the Olympics was in the same city. That is not the Gayest Olympics ever. It has nothing to do with the Olympics. Should we be glad the RCMP didn't shut down, what is essentially, a room with pictures of past gay athletes in it? It makes me wonder how much of the Gay media is for sale. How much did the IOC pay them (Logo/365Gay.com Egale and XTRA) to make this look like Pride House had anything to do with the Olympics, beyond co-existing in the same Canadian province. The IOC doesn't want Gays - fine. That is why we created the Gay games.
I'm getting a whole "Star Chamber" eerie feeling about the Olympics committee. How do they get such power? Is the right wing Conservative Government of Canada helping out? It is kind of freaky when you look at the big picture.
I understand the athletes are closeted and in survival mode. I don't blame the majority who shut up about it. The ones who lie, beard with women, yes I'll heap some blame on their shoulders. I don't know how you can compete, when you beat yourself up like that and they are prolonging the bad environment for future LGBT competitors. If you don't want to help out - fine. Stand aside and don't make it worse for others.
All this talk about how it is a first, the "gayest Olympics ever". This is smoke screening. So a gay group opened a venue for gay athletes, while the Olympics was in the same city. That is not the Gayest Olympics ever. It has nothing to do with the Olympics. Should we be glad the RCMP didn't shut down, what is essentially, a room with pictures of past gay athletes in it? It makes me wonder how much of the Gay media is for sale. How much did the IOC pay them (Logo/365Gay.com Egale and XTRA) to make this look like Pride House had anything to do with the Olympics, beyond co-existing in the same Canadian province. The IOC doesn't want Gays - fine. That is why we created the Gay games.
I'm getting a whole "Star Chamber" eerie feeling about the Olympics committee. How do they get such power? Is the right wing Conservative Government of Canada helping out? It is kind of freaky when you look at the big picture.
I understand the athletes are closeted and in survival mode. I don't blame the majority who shut up about it. The ones who lie, beard with women, yes I'll heap some blame on their shoulders. I don't know how you can compete, when you beat yourself up like that and they are prolonging the bad environment for future LGBT competitors. If you don't want to help out - fine. Stand aside and don't make it worse for others.
Yet another person who only feels it is a victory if it is officially sanction. Gay history has been made by people doing things that were not officially sanctioned. That were not agreed on anything by any governing party. The idea that I have to get some group to okay my existence so you can call it a victory is repulsive.
No one needs permission from the IOC. It doesn't surprise me they didn't officially sanction it. But who the hell cares. Gay people are doing it for themselves and showing the world their is pride and are gay athletes and all are welcome. So good on them.
If gays waited for official sanction we would never be getting anywhere.
No one needs permission from the IOC. It doesn't surprise me they didn't officially sanction it. But who the hell cares. Gay people are doing it for themselves and showing the world their is pride and are gay athletes and all are welcome. So good on them.
If gays waited for official sanction we would never be getting anywhere.
If there had been a Black House for inclusiveness of African-Americans, say after desegregation or the integration of the USA armed forces, at the first Summer Olympics held in the USA at the time, I think it would have been roundly rejected by both Civil Rights leaders at the time and by racists (under another name).
But I don't know that and would be happy if someone did know whether there was any separate treatment of African Americans other than the usual self-segregation.
If there had been a separate treatment of Jews during any previous Olympics I think both the pro-Zionists and the anti-Semites would have opposed it for security reasons. The 1973 Munich masacre is reason enough to understand why.
There may be far less likelihood of that kind of discrimination against a minority group in the current world human rights atmosphere but the possibility is real.
That is not to say that it justifies opposing or supporting such separitist treatment.
But I can imagine the christianist right seizing the opportunity to claim we are seeking just that anyhow.
But I don't know that and would be happy if someone did know whether there was any separate treatment of African Americans other than the usual self-segregation.
If there had been a separate treatment of Jews during any previous Olympics I think both the pro-Zionists and the anti-Semites would have opposed it for security reasons. The 1973 Munich masacre is reason enough to understand why.
There may be far less likelihood of that kind of discrimination against a minority group in the current world human rights atmosphere but the possibility is real.
That is not to say that it justifies opposing or supporting such separitist treatment.
But I can imagine the christianist right seizing the opportunity to claim we are seeking just that anyhow.
I guess we have to give VANOC a bit of a pat on the back for featuring 2 Out performers in the show (kd and Ashley (violin guy)). So the IOC is more driving the no official Pride House thing than VANOC. Not including Skate Canada, Canada is actually being pretty cool to the community.
Was Gretzky's run in the pickup truck planned or a last minute thing to cover up the failing to rise 4th pillar?
Was Gretzky's run in the pickup truck planned or a last minute thing to cover up the failing to rise 4th pillar?
The drive was planned. The has to be an Olympic flame visible to the entire community which is not possible in a domed stadium. The crowds cheering and running beside Waynes truck was great to see given the rain.
Here's a video of the opening of Pride House: http://www.xtra.ca/public/Vancouver/Queeri...ouver-8242.aspx
Ok...that's just sad. It reeks of "we were kicked out of the big party, so we rented a room and held our own".
kd Lang performing was historically significant, claiming this Pride House is historically significant, is just embarrassing. I don't like to rain on anyone's parade, because every little step forward counts, but this was not even a step, it was at best, bringing a tiny bit of attention to a big problem.
Nothing was accomplished with this. I hate to think XTRA & Egale negotiated away Gay Canadians right to protest homophobia at the Olympics, for this pittance.
kd Lang performing was historically significant, claiming this Pride House is historically significant, is just embarrassing. I don't like to rain on anyone's parade, because every little step forward counts, but this was not even a step, it was at best, bringing a tiny bit of attention to a big problem.
Nothing was accomplished with this. I hate to think XTRA & Egale negotiated away Gay Canadians right to protest homophobia at the Olympics, for this pittance.
DavidBC, I remember k d lang performed at the closing ceremonies here in Calgary back in '88, so there was already an historic precedent, even if she wasn't "officially" out at that time.
QUOTE(DavidBC @ Feb 13 2010, 07:39 PM) 
Nothing was accomplished with this. I hate to think XTRA & Egale negotiated away Gay Canadians right to protest homophobia at the Olympics, for this pittance.
Wow had no idea in Canada a couple of gay rights groups could negotiate away rights to protest. All I can say is thank god I am in the United States. Because despite the power that HRC thinks it has it cannot negotiate away my first amendment rights of free speech. Who knew that section two of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms was so weak that other groups can negotiate away your right to expression, assembly, and association.
you must have a very weak constitution if that is the case or your exaggerating what these groups can do and did.
David any time gays and lesbians stand up and are heard whether it is the opening of pride house, someone coming out, or coming to the defense of someone SOMETHING IS ACCOMPLISHED.
The biggest changes happen in the smallest steps.
I understand baby steps eventually win the race, but the speaker said this event was historic and that is a gross exaggeration of reality and that trivializes the entire effort. Had it been IOC approved, she might have had a case.
An open Lesbian singing in front of 2 billion people for Canada, that is historically significant, because every gay (albeit closeted) athlete in that stadium breathed a sigh of relieve and a little love for Canada, when kd got up on that stage and that leads to a higher LGB (no Ts there) medal count. It's real and Melissa Etheridge would never have been booked similarly, in the USA. This is actually, historically significant.
The lack of coverage the Olympics are getting from gay media, Canada and outside Canada, is proof that tensions are still strong. “Unofficial Pride House”, as I am calling it, dropped a penny in the gay charity for change box, Johnny Weir dropped a $100,000 in and kd Lang, put in millions. Every penny counts. You technically made your point. Don't call a penny a million dollars.
FoxNews, (Republican Party HQ) did a huge piece on Johnny Weir today. The guy has not even stepped on the ice and he is getting more coverage than Gold medal winners.
http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2010/02/12/w...shy-new-outfit/
An open Lesbian singing in front of 2 billion people for Canada, that is historically significant, because every gay (albeit closeted) athlete in that stadium breathed a sigh of relieve and a little love for Canada, when kd got up on that stage and that leads to a higher LGB (no Ts there) medal count. It's real and Melissa Etheridge would never have been booked similarly, in the USA. This is actually, historically significant.
The lack of coverage the Olympics are getting from gay media, Canada and outside Canada, is proof that tensions are still strong. “Unofficial Pride House”, as I am calling it, dropped a penny in the gay charity for change box, Johnny Weir dropped a $100,000 in and kd Lang, put in millions. Every penny counts. You technically made your point. Don't call a penny a million dollars.
FoxNews, (Republican Party HQ) did a huge piece on Johnny Weir today. The guy has not even stepped on the ice and he is getting more coverage than Gold medal winners.
http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2010/02/12/w...shy-new-outfit/
Pride House, and the subject of homophobia in sports, was one of the segments on the CBC radio program The Current this morning. Scroll down to Part 2 to listen to the interviews, which include openly-gay Olympian Mark Tewksbury.
Personally I don't care if Pride House was officially sanctioned by the IOC; that in no way makes Pride House less 'legitimate', in my opinion. I lost what little respect I had for the IOC years ago when they awarded the Olympics to China, and then remained virtually silent on that country's censorship and human rights abuses.
Personally I don't care if Pride House was officially sanctioned by the IOC; that in no way makes Pride House less 'legitimate', in my opinion. I lost what little respect I had for the IOC years ago when they awarded the Olympics to China, and then remained virtually silent on that country's censorship and human rights abuses.
The American gay rights community (GLAAD, HRC) is not doing well in achieving equality. They have a bad habit of making up victories, that don't really exist, in the absence of the real thing, which is exactly what GLAAD (and others....) are doing right now, with this Olympic Pride House. I am sure there were other gay spaces, during other Olympics, that celebrated gay athletes, but they are trying to make this one look historically significant and it is not.
There is great danger in simulating false victories, because you were not able to negotiate the real thing. It leads to weak organizational leadership and untrusting donors. That is why the USA is so far behind the rest of the civilized world in marriage equality. You have to put your foot down and say, when the IOC officially accepts gay athletes. with an official Pride House, then and only then - we will rally and celebrate that victory. Until then, stop tricking people in to thinking any real progress has been made because you want to cover your (GLAAD, EGALE, HRC) inability to negotiate the real thing. It is very selfish and it is dishonest to those who depend on you.
http://glaadblog.org/2010/02/16/first-ever...-lgbt-athletes/
There is great danger in simulating false victories, because you were not able to negotiate the real thing. It leads to weak organizational leadership and untrusting donors. That is why the USA is so far behind the rest of the civilized world in marriage equality. You have to put your foot down and say, when the IOC officially accepts gay athletes. with an official Pride House, then and only then - we will rally and celebrate that victory. Until then, stop tricking people in to thinking any real progress has been made because you want to cover your (GLAAD, EGALE, HRC) inability to negotiate the real thing. It is very selfish and it is dishonest to those who depend on you.
http://glaadblog.org/2010/02/16/first-ever...-lgbt-athletes/
I actually don't think there is any need for the IOC to have an official Pride House. The fact that a private group did so is great. The Olympics are about the athletes sporting abilities not their sexuality. There is no Jewish House or Black House or Asian House or Left Handed House but if these or any other groups feel the need to open their own pavilion feel free to do so.
If I didn't come to this website, I don't think I would know that Pride House existed. Are the big gay media in the US covering it? The Advocate, Out, LOGO, etc? I haven't been reading Xtra lately, so I don't know if the Canadian gay press is covering it. I certainly haven't seen anything in the mainstream press.
My question is: has it been successful? Are people going there? Athletes (present and past)? Fans? People from other countries? Has any Outsporter been there? Can you give us a report?
Oh, just found this: NY Times video A New Olympic Pride
My question is: has it been successful? Are people going there? Athletes (present and past)? Fans? People from other countries? Has any Outsporter been there? Can you give us a report?
Oh, just found this: NY Times video A New Olympic Pride
CBC did a story on it, and OUT TV have done bits on it the last few nights since the Games began.
I wonder if Pride House will exist at the next Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia? That would be more of a significant thing.
A few years ago, a Queer Lounge was set up at the Sundance Film Festival. Later, it was added (unofficial) to the Toronto Film Festival. The idea was to set up a space for LGBT filmmakers and such to hang out. I believe though that in the past year the Queer Lounge did not happen. Whether it was the slow economy or what, but like the decline in gay bars and "gay ghettos" in major cities, as the LGBT community becomes more accepted, the need for "gay" spaces declines. That said, because the Olympics attracts athletes and fans from countries where homosexuality is less accepted, the Pride House can serve a function. Which is why it will be interesting to see if people can create a venue in a small town in Russia--very different from a liberal, West Coast Canadian city.
A few years ago, a Queer Lounge was set up at the Sundance Film Festival. Later, it was added (unofficial) to the Toronto Film Festival. The idea was to set up a space for LGBT filmmakers and such to hang out. I believe though that in the past year the Queer Lounge did not happen. Whether it was the slow economy or what, but like the decline in gay bars and "gay ghettos" in major cities, as the LGBT community becomes more accepted, the need for "gay" spaces declines. That said, because the Olympics attracts athletes and fans from countries where homosexuality is less accepted, the Pride House can serve a function. Which is why it will be interesting to see if people can create a venue in a small town in Russia--very different from a liberal, West Coast Canadian city.
Pride House has been getting some recent media coverage and visits from people like Stephen Colbert.
New Jersey Star-Ledger: Vancouver's Pride House offers safe haven for gay, lesbian Olympic athletes (mentions Colbert visit)
Vancouver Sun: Speaking at Pride House is historic, bittersweet moment for Tewksbury
Vancouver Province: Gay pride flows at the Olympics
On YouTube:
Pride House prepares for Stephen Colbert.
Stephen Colbert at Pride House.
Colbert did do other things in Vancouver besides visit Pride House. Examples:
Stephen Colbert at Irish House.
Sings O Canada with Micahel Buble and rides a moose.
New Jersey Star-Ledger: Vancouver's Pride House offers safe haven for gay, lesbian Olympic athletes (mentions Colbert visit)
Vancouver Sun: Speaking at Pride House is historic, bittersweet moment for Tewksbury
Vancouver Province: Gay pride flows at the Olympics
On YouTube:
Pride House prepares for Stephen Colbert.
Stephen Colbert at Pride House.
Colbert did do other things in Vancouver besides visit Pride House. Examples:
Stephen Colbert at Irish House.
Sings O Canada with Micahel Buble and rides a moose.
Toronto Star: No giant leap for gays at the games
Interesting that straight people--gold medalist Jon Montgomery and Stephen Colbert--quite proudly showed up at Pride House, but gay Olympians did not (or at least did not 'publicly'), it would seem.
Interesting that straight people--gold medalist Jon Montgomery and Stephen Colbert--quite proudly showed up at Pride House, but gay Olympians did not (or at least did not 'publicly'), it would seem.
QUOTE
At Pride House, the pioneering gay, lesbian, transgendered and queer pavilion at the Vancouver Olympics, the atmosphere has been celebratory: champagne flowed at its opening party, and visitors to its Whistler location at the boutique hotel Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre quaffed cocktails daily.
Never mind that the gay athletes haven't exactly shown up.
* * *
Pride House has seen some signs of interest among the athletes.
Last Wednesday evening, Canada's gold medallist in skeleton, Jon Montgomery, who is straight, paid Pride House Whistler a surprise visit. He placed his gold medal around the neck of the pavilion's popular sculpture of a naked male hockey player, posing with it for photos.
Neocon mock-pundit Stephen Colbert even filmed a segment for The Colbert Report at Pride House as part of his highly manic Olympic coverage ("Vancouverage"), though it wasn't ultimately aired.
Pride House has hoped both Weir – who has preferred not to make statements about his sexuality – and gay athletes alike might drop by. Openly gay athletes at the 2010 Winter Olympics have included gold medallists such as Dutch speed skater Ireen Wüst and Sarah Vaillancourt of the Canadian women's hockey team.
Never mind that the gay athletes haven't exactly shown up.
* * *
Pride House has seen some signs of interest among the athletes.
Last Wednesday evening, Canada's gold medallist in skeleton, Jon Montgomery, who is straight, paid Pride House Whistler a surprise visit. He placed his gold medal around the neck of the pavilion's popular sculpture of a naked male hockey player, posing with it for photos.
Neocon mock-pundit Stephen Colbert even filmed a segment for The Colbert Report at Pride House as part of his highly manic Olympic coverage ("Vancouverage"), though it wasn't ultimately aired.
Pride House has hoped both Weir – who has preferred not to make statements about his sexuality – and gay athletes alike might drop by. Openly gay athletes at the 2010 Winter Olympics have included gold medallists such as Dutch speed skater Ireen Wüst and Sarah Vaillancourt of the Canadian women's hockey team.
Bravo to Vancouver for having Pride House. While I wasn't there personally, I suspect its clientele was more TV and media personnel than athletes.
Personally, I don't think IOC has a responsibility to approve or disapprove Pride House. It's not an IOC issue.
On another level, I don't think IOC has a responsibility to go out of its way to support or promote gay athlete any more than str8 athletes. It does however have a self mandated duty to promote and insure fair play...
The Olympics is not about being gay or str8. That being said, I do think the IOC has a responsibility to investigate any potential discrimination against athletes, for any reason. I think the IOC, through it's various organizations, should look into what happened to Johnny Weir.
Personally, I don't think IOC has a responsibility to approve or disapprove Pride House. It's not an IOC issue.
On another level, I don't think IOC has a responsibility to go out of its way to support or promote gay athlete any more than str8 athletes. It does however have a self mandated duty to promote and insure fair play...
The Olympics is not about being gay or str8. That being said, I do think the IOC has a responsibility to investigate any potential discrimination against athletes, for any reason. I think the IOC, through it's various organizations, should look into what happened to Johnny Weir.
Pride House is getting some kind of award or recognition at the Toronto Pride Awards this year.
Has anyone ever been to the Pride Awards? The tickets start at $350(!). I guess it's just for the VIP gays; hence, I've never attended.
Other Pride Week events in Toronto.
Has anyone ever been to the Pride Awards? The tickets start at $350(!). I guess it's just for the VIP gays; hence, I've never attended.
Other Pride Week events in Toronto.QUOTE
Sports
PRIDE House: If there were an Olympic category for queer awareness, PRIDE House would take home the gold. PRIDE House, a pavilion at the 2010 Whistler Olympic and Paralympics Games, provided a venue for LGBT athletes, the community and allies to celebrate diversity through sport. The initiative provided LGBT athletes the opportunity to expose the hidden homophobia that characterizes the sports world and the issues that would otherwise remain invisible - and unacknowledged.
PRIDE House: If there were an Olympic category for queer awareness, PRIDE House would take home the gold. PRIDE House, a pavilion at the 2010 Whistler Olympic and Paralympics Games, provided a venue for LGBT athletes, the community and allies to celebrate diversity through sport. The initiative provided LGBT athletes the opportunity to expose the hidden homophobia that characterizes the sports world and the issues that would otherwise remain invisible - and unacknowledged.
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