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| Last updated at 8:34 AM on 07/08/07 |
CITIZENS RALLY AROUND THE FLAG 
MONIQUE CHIASSON
The Truro Daily News
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| Anita Louise Martinez proudly waves a gay pride flag during a rally in Truro Monday. Martinez travelled from Halifax to participate in the event. |
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TRURO – Kim Tanner knew a gay pride rally would eventually take place in Truro, and she couldn’t be happier when it did.
Tanner was one of more than 100 people gathered at Victoria Park Monday for the rally. Tanner informed her family 15 years ago she was a lesbian, and she was thrilled there finally was a public event celebrating her sexual orientation.
“I thought this day (Truro rally) was inevitable and I’m happy with the support,” said the Truro resident during the rally, which was prompted in response to Truro town council’s decision against flying the gay pride flag in Truro this week.
“I personally wasn’t upset the flag wasn’t raised ... I was upset with the reactions that come out of it from Bill Mills and council,” said Tanner. “I personally don’t think politics and religion mix.”
Colchester County is raising the gay pride flag this week.
“(Truro’s decision) was an unfortunate black mark (on the community) ... we are a welcoming, tolerant community,” said Colchester Mayor Mike Smith at the rally.
Sue Andrews, an owner of the Bi-Sexual, Lesbian and Transgender Womyn’s Group in Halifax, attended the rally. She gathered names for a petition to take to Halifax City Hall requesting a community centre that would serve “all of Nova Scotia. There is no known community centre for the rainbow population. It would be a centre everyone in Atlantic Canada could (go to) for networking and resources,” Andrews said.
Sharon Farrell, co-ordinator of Truro’s first pride rally, said she expects the rally to become a tradition.
“I absolutely think it will happen again next year ... there was some concern it would be met with hatred, but we see that’s not true.” Participants also signed a pride flag that could be taken to town officials, while others walked to town hall, although the office was closed for Natal Day.
A group of about 30 people from different churches also gathered, prior to the rally, in support of Truro’s decision not to raise the flag. “We prayed ... for the (rally attendees), for town council and Bill Mills and to support his stand,” said Truro’s Cathy Cromwell, who stayed to witness the peaceful rally.
Cromwell believes only municipal, provincial and the Canadian flag should be raised on the town’s flag pole.
“There’s no reasons for (other flags) to be on it,” she said, adding, “We love these people, we don’t love their lifestyle.”
mchiasson@trurodaily.com
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07/08/07
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Nathan Sollman from Toronto, On writes: Congratulations to Gay People in Truro for being strong and sticking by what they believe and feel. I think that it is completely sad that in this day and age a Mayor in a Canadian city is such a coward that he has to use God and Church as a crutch to be a homophobic biggot. I think it is also sick that he grouped all gay people in with phedophiles, when infact most phedophiles identify themselves as being heterosexual but deviant. I think that Bill Mills should be made step down for his comments, or at least issue a formal apology not only to the gay people of Truro Nova Scotia, but to gay people across the country. Intolerance is not acceptable, and frankly I dont care where in this country you are. Just as people ask us to leave our sexuality at home, Mayor Mills should leave his crucifix at home where it belongs, as he is meant to represent all of the people of Truro, not just those with religious backgrounds.
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 10:38 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Patricia from Nova Scotia writes: “There’s no reasons for (other flags) to be on it,” she said, adding, “We love these people, we don’t love their lifestyle.”
If this was the case then why was it stated that the town is willing to fly the AIDS flag? *read in the chronicle herald*
clearly this is a case of discrimination . Religion and politics do not mix nor should they. It is a public office is it not.
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 11:01 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Nathan Sollman from Toronto, On writes: The rainbow flag, sometimes called 'the freedom flag', has been used as a symbol of gay and lesbian pride since the 1970s. The different colours symbolize diversity in the gay community, and the flag is often used as a symbol of gay pride in gay rights marches. It originated in the United States, but is now used around the world.
The rainbow flag was popularized as a symbol of gay pride and diversity by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker in 1978. As of 2006, it consists of six coloured stripes of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. It is most commonly flown with the red stripe on top, as the colours appear in a natural rainbow.
More importantly is the symbol of struggle amongst our community. I don't understand why they were will to display an AIDS flag on the flag pole, however not gay rights. The struggles and battle that our community faces still exist which why the gay/lesbian transgendered community unites under the Rainbow Flag. Still to this day in 31 US states Gays and Lesbians can still be fired just for not being hetrosexual. Love and acceptance unite us..while church and religon divide us.
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 11:58 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Concered Citizen from Nova Scotia writes: I think the whole thing is a load of horse manure. The town of Truro was simply saying no flags belong on Gov't flagpoles other than state and country. I agree. Things Mayor Mills said were blown out of context. Had he said that next the Boy Scouts would want their flag flown, and the girl guides and, and, and, nothing would be said. What he was doing was pointing out the liability of flying the flag. If he was to fly the Gay Pride flag, the Hells Angels could sue him for discrimination if he refuse to fly their flag if they had a rally. Think about it and grow the F up. I have no problem with Gay people as a concept, however crap like this IS the problem I have with gay people. I was at a club with a buddy down in Portland, Maine. In the most bizarrest twist I've ever seen at a club, they stopped serving liquor at 1 am, the cover at the door doubled, and there was a huge influx of gay people. Instead of running for the hills, my buddy and I stuck around for a bit. We left about half an hour later on account of the fact the gay people felt it was ok to take there tops off in a public place and start performing sexual acts on the dance floor. The breaking point was when and actual bartender though it was ok to spray and soak me with a water gun as some form of gay flirtation. My buddy had to drag me out to keep me from going over the bar and giving him a piece of my mind. We left due to being left uncomfortable by 2 laws being broken in the establishment. The public indecency law and common assault on myself. THAT is the problem I have with gay people. That was not the first time I've had gay people stretch limits of decency to make me feel uncomfortable and it's not the last. They're always throwing their lifestyle in the faces of straight people and stretching the limits to make straight people feel uncomfortable. They act like they're a bunch of kids! I don't go out stripping girls down on dance floors and performing sex acts on them, nor to I go out soaking them with water guns. IMHO gay people would be one heck of a lot better off if they conducted themselves in a civilized manner like the rest of society is expected to and stop going around trying to drop peoples jaws. It's pathetic.
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 3:14 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Colin from Truro, NS writes: I'm sorry I didn't make it to the rally, I will be sure to be there next year.
If only this kind of thing were more surpising...
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 3:17 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Ian Ridpath from Milton, Ontraio writes: Nathan Sollman from Toronto seems to be very verbose on this topic or at least is in a mindset bordering on hatred towards Mayor Mills.
His quote (below) would be meaningful IF his gay community DID leave their sexual choices at home. However, as we see it pushed in our faces in such events as 'gay-pride' parades throught the country - they do bring it out of their homes and into our faces.
What gives them the right to think that we all want to see two men (or more) or two women (or more) making out in public?
QUOTE: I dont care where in this country you are. Just as people ask us to leave our sexuality at home, Mayor Mills should leave his crucifix at home where it belongs, as he is meant to represent all of the people of Truro, not just those with religious backgrounds. UNQUOTE
It seems unbeliveable to me that people expect an elected official to leave his moral compass, he compassion, his beliefs behind just because he is in public office. Don't bring the church versus state argument in because in Canada there is no such thing. And in any case, the US constitution's mention of church and state was to keep the state out of the church NOT the other way around.
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 3:19 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Ardith Lyon from Mississauga, Ontario writes: Wow what low class thinking still exists in Truro,looks like the town will have to do some catch up with the rest of the world. The mayor needs to address his own prejudices before he quotes the bible. This topic is being dicussed on the radio, and Truro and the mayor are in last place. Isn't it time Truro became a first class town rather than a small town with negative reactions.
Ardith Lyon
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 3:38 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Holly from Nova Scotia writes: I was absolutely outraged by what the mayor and the counsel members of Truro gave as their reason for not flying the Gay Pride flag. Personally, I agree that the only flags that should be flown by the province are the municipal, provincial and Canadian flags. However, as politicians I would think they would have more sense (not a lot) then to isolate their constituents like that. It is not only the Gay community, but their friends, families and others who understand this world is a place filled with millions of unique individuals who have as much right to a life they choose as long as it hurts no one regardless of your opinion or faith. They do not belong in politics and apparently neither do Mr. Bill Mills and the council.
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 3:49 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Victor from Kitchener, ON writes: The only impact those of us in the rest of Canada can add to this discussion is to speak with our wallets. Truro and Pictou County - you just lost our family's tourist dollars for a long time to come!
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 3:56 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Colin from Truro, NS writes: re: Concerned Citizen
Maybe things have changed in the past few years but when I used to go to bars, that sort of thing happened all the time. People go to bars to get laid, and the dancefloor is where it starts. How far it goes depends on the individual's comfort level and how drunk and insecure they are. And if you are offended by drunken public sexuality, avoid any celebration with the words mardi gras in its title.
Regardless, I don't think you should categorize a group of people by the subset of that group that goes to bars to make idiots of themselves. And if you truly need to be physically restrained from hurting somebody when you get squirted with water then you have anger issues that you need to work on. I hope you were just exaggerating.
And for Ian Ridpath , your comment hits the nail on the head -- in an ideal world, people's race, religion and sexual orientation would all be left at home. Unfortunately, this isn't an ideal world; people are marginalized for stupid reasons and things like pride celebrations have to be public, otherwise the problems just get worse.
And I don't want to look at men kissing, but I also don't want to look at facial piercings or reality television. Luckily, I have neck muscles which allow me to twist my head from side to side.
I hope the town flies the pride flag next year, and I hope they fly a flag for the First Nation's National Day of Action, Earth Day and any celebration that reminds us of the the things we need to do to make our world a better place. I also hope they can fly the support our troops flag too, just so long as the support our troops message hasn't been co-opted to mean support whatever foreign policy decision our government makes .
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 4:20 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Eddie from Arizona writes: To Concered Citizen from Nova Scotia; Please do not think that all gay people act and behave the way those men did at that bar you and your friend were visiting.
My partner and I have been together for over ten years and we've only been to gay bars twice. Once when we were dating and again last year when meeting with an old friend. Both of these times the atmosphere was just music, drinking, dancing and people talking with each other. Maybe hugging and kissing, at most. I'm sure there are bars that feature more explicit content, but we've never been to one and never will. That's not our thing and it's not what we engage in.
Anyway, my point being that I apologize that you and your friend had to be subjected to such asinine behaviour and I hope that you will not take this one, single isolated event to draw a conclusion on what all gay people are like.
Regards,
Eddie and Robert
Phoenix, AZ - USA
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 4:59 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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IF YOU WANT OUT.. from NS writes: There are some amazing stories here.
http://www.venusmagazine.org/gladys.html
http://www.venusmagazine.org/Returning..by%20Dawn.html
http://www.venusmagazine.org/cover_story.html
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 5:39 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Concered Citizen from Nova Scotia writes: Eddie:
Well thank you for that. I understand that it is not how all gay people act. I guess my point was this: In straight society, 95% of the population acts civilized and we're left to appologize for the the 5% that don't. In Gay society, considering the number of things I've seen that offend me in comparison to the percentage of the population that's gay, I'd say the numbers are skewed much further in the opposite direction. A lot of gays seem to use being openly gay as a license to act perverse and immature. That leaves you stuck with a lot of appologizing to do when you shouldn't have to. I have a straight female friend that works at a gay club here, and I pop in to see her from time to time and things aren't even close to being as bad there. I actually felt quite comfortable. This other club that I was at though was a regular club that was taken over by the gay population of Portland at 1 am. As I mentioned earlier, I did not immediately feel the need to leave because it turned gay, it was the offending acts that sent me heading for the door.
To Colin : There's a big difference between someone FLASHING a chest here and there and sneaky groping in a dark corner of the club to stripping down to your underwear or less for the duration of the night and making out under the brightest light you can find. In straight clubs, people who take their shirts etc off are asked to put them back on or leave and people who are making out excessively are also asked to refrain or leave. People who assault other people, weather it be throwing water or a drink on them univited are asked to leave PERIOD by the STAFF, not the opposite where the staff assault the guests univited. It was cold out. Do you think I was intersted in walking back to my hotel soaked and freazing?!? No. I was interested in leaving and going to get something to eat, which due to being soaked I could not do.
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 5:42 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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James Gallant from Charlottetown, PEI writes: Editor,
In response to Cathy Cromwell who said:
“There’s no reasons for (other flags) to be on it,” she said, adding, “We love these people, we don’t love their lifestyle.”
I could say the same about you! I didn't make a choice to be gay. I was born this way. I was made this way, by God. Get used to it , because we aren't going to simply disappear.
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 5:47 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Darcie from Truro, Nova Scotia writes: And this is exactly why I packed up my son and took him to Montreal a month ago....
West Jet flight(minus air miles)...$350, Cabs to and from the airport ...$90, Experiencing all the city has to offer....$500+,
Visiting with family (love you Mike and Ryley)....Priceless,
Experiencing a more tolerant, forward thinking way of lfe...AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY!!!!!
I will not be so ignorant as to think I can change the powers that be, but I sure as he!! will raise my son to be tolerant, accepting of everyone and to think beyond the Town of Truro limits.
I just hope as he travels down life's road that no one holds it against him that he comes from such a backward, discriminating town.
Not everyone in Truro shares the Mayor's and Council's personal opinions -and they are supposed to be representing all of us!
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 6:26 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Colin from Truro, NS writes: To Concerned Citizen: I wasn't talking about just flashing or groping; I guess we just went to different bars...
And as you say, your Portland experience isn't necessarily typical of gay bars. And the bartender wasn't squirting you because he was gay, but because he was stupid, which knows no sexual orientation.
The urge to go completely over-the-top in the safety of a semi-private club is understandable though, I think. For you and I, nobody wants to beat us up, get us fired from our jobs or vandalize our property because we're heterosexual. We don't have to pause and consider who we're talking to when we mention something that might be interpreted as suggesting we're straight. Coming out must be very difficult, and it must be liberating to be in an environment where you don't need to guard yourself like that.
You don't even have to actually be gay, you just have to pass for it to be a target for pressure. Imagine the ribbing you'd get from your friends and family if you told everyone that, say, Liza Minelli was your favourite singer. Though the grief would be likely be good natured, it is still pressure on you to conform, to return to the fold. And that's just from liking something associated with gay culture, imagine the pressure of actually being gay.
That may not be such a good example, but its the best I can come up with on short notice.
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 7:31 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Edwin Pratt from Trenton, Nova Scotia writes: Well how interesting to read the comment about losing tourism dollars. The people of Central Nova Scotia Tourism have made a special effort in this years campaign. The title of a mini tourism brochure given out at the NS Boarder is Bay or Strait. What an ingenius play on words - obviously they mean gay or straight . Perhaps the Executive Director Joyce Mingo may want to write a comment to the offended tourists who feel that Central Nova Scotia is Homophobic. As obviously Central Nova Tourism Association wants to make it a welcoming place for Homosexual tourists and their money. Perhaps they will raise the rainbow flag in support next to the new Glooscap Heritage Centre. I certianly hope that those of us who make our living in tourism consider the power of rainbow dollars .
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 8:08 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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GoodOldBoy from Truro writes: Darcie, why didnt you stay with the frenchys in Quebec if it was so great. I am sick and tired of the left wing liberal gay lobby trying to force their way into the mainstream.
The moral majority Know Mr. Mills plus the other five councilors were right. If so many people were in favour of this I would have expected 1000's in the park not 100. I wasn't suprised that the rally was held in the park isn't that their main hangout anyways.
I will live all of you with this great syaing LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT!!!!!!!!
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 8:45 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Lloyd Perry from Moncton, NB writes: Re the comment from Ardith Lyon from Mississauga looks like the town will have to do some catch up with the rest of the world - Catch up? Why, we couldn't succeed if we doubled our speed; my friend, we're not going that way! And James Gallant of Charlottetown says, I was born this way. I was made this way, by God.I was born this way. I was made this way, by God. So why does God say in Leviticus 18:22, Do not lie with man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable. However, homosexuals do have the right to live their lives as they please, no one is forcing them. But people like Bill Mills (or anyone, for that matter) should not be forced to support something that goes against their moral convictions. Live your life as you please, but don't expect me to promote your lifestyle.
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 9:11 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Alex MacMillan from Sydney, NS writes: Just a point, and you can keep your argument about whether to fly the flag or not - frankly it's not that big a deal.
Mayor - and GoodOldBoy - hands off my Bible. Don't use it, its teachings or words to justify your own prejudice and hatred. That was done with slavery - the argument that black skin was the Mark of Cain. An argument that's as repugnant as yours.
The Bible, if taken literally - and you aren't by the way, you're making it up - defines many things as sin or outright offences against God. Homosexuality is a very small sin in the Bible.
However, if you choose to enforce your Christian viewpoints, lets start with the banks: the Bible clearly says that borrowing or lending money, or charging interest is a sin. Clear the heathen bankers from Truro!
Oh, and then start with other religions. T hou shalt have no other God before me - that's a commandment, not a tiny sin like homosexuality. The Jews are safe, it's the same God, but the Muslims have to go, and the Buddhists. The Bible gives you outright permission to kill the witches.
You are not the moral majority, you aren't even moral. Hatred is not a moral value. Keep your prejudice, it will die with you, but don't use Christianity as your crutch. Christ loved the sinners and the outcasts., remember?
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 9:12 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Kathy from Truro, NS. writes: Victor in Kitchener...your tourist dollars are no loss to us, you are obviously too small minded to let others have a different opinion than you do and Darcie if it so much better in Montreal then why don't you move there? Perhaps Victor will come visit with you.
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 10:12 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Catherine Benedict from Truro, NS writes: If we can, for a moment, ignore the issue of *which* flag is being denied the honour of flying at the top of Truro's flagpost, I wonder how many people *anywhere* in secular Canada would be satisfied with their mayor and town councillors dictating events happening in their hometown based *solely* on their own *personal, religious* beliefs. I'm Catholic, so members of the following religions will have to mercifully forgive my ignorance if I misunderstand some of their practices, but I doubt that we'd accept a jewish mayor forbidding the sale of pork in Truro, or muslim town councillors banning the sale of food during daylight hours during Ramadan because they had personal religious objections to such acts. (There are non-food examples I'm sure, I'm just unfamiliar with them) If Truro wishes to avoid liability issues associated with indiscriminantly flying the flags of every distasteful special interest group that requests it, they need to legislate it. That way, when these by-laws prove to be blatantly discriminatory against these groups and in conflict with the charter of rights and freedoms, something can be (legally) done about it.
Personally, I'm incredibly ashamed of the comments made by the mayor (and majority of town councillors) as reported in the Daily News. I'd feel more comfortable if they voiced their religious beliefs in their respective churches, and acted in ways outside of church that brought Truro provincial and national recognition for secular actions and events that accentuated the positive aspects of our town.
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 10:20 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Josh from Truro, NS writes: Kathy, and GoodOldBoy,
Now there's the face of this prejudice: ignorant, petty, and defiant in the face of reason. The posters for the uneducated bluenoser have found their child. I couldn't have made the supporters of this nonsense seem uglier if I had tried.
Bravo, and as a true-blue, born-and-bred-in-Truro-and-raising-my-family-here Nova Scotian, I can't wait until you see where my votes and dollars go.
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 10:21 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Colin from Truro, NS writes: The problem with Love it or Leave it is that it presupposes that the person saying it has some say over what is and what isn't the status quo. Unfortunately, the status quo doesn't belong to anybody, except maybe in a dictatorship.
For instance, it is within the right of the state to take your house and property if they can say it's for the public good (the term's expropriation or eminent domain ). When the bulldozers show up on your doorstep, you won't love it or leave it, you'll fight it tooth and claw. I doubt that the idea that it's in the public interest will provide much comfort in the rubble of your home.
What I'm saying is that, just because you're opinions reflect the opinions of the people in power on this issue, don't expect it to be true on every issue. And if you find yourself on the wrong side of an injustice, you'll see that Love it or Leave it is just another term for Obey Blindly.
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| Posted 07/08/2007 at 10:23 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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