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paeanMr P, the kids, and I went to Calgary to take an English test (non refugee Canadian immigration requires proof of proficiency in either English or French). Mr. P took the English exam too. We both passed.
As a happy coincidence, their Pride celebration was that weekend, so we got to take the small beasts to the parade. It was awesome. There was a lot of commercial interests, but as someone who remembers when most businesses felt that associating with "the gays" was unacceptable, I welcome the change in attitude. Also, there were a lot more unions than I remember seeing in any US Pride event. The whole city and the airport were sporting rainbow signs, rainbow lights, and visibly queer folks. I was so happy that I may have cried just a little bit.
We live in a small, fairly conservative city. A non-discrimination ordinance failed here several years ago. Our second locally organized Pride parade is tomorrow. We're walking with a group from my work, and the girls are super excited about wearing new rainbow tutus. I've personally invited just about everyone I directly work with to come walk with us.
But I'm also dreading the realization of how this still feels like a protest march rather than an open celebration. I think I'm ready to move on to a better location. I feel guilty about it, but I'm tired of constantly combatting the local culture, and I want my kids to see a bigger, kinder, more diverse world.
As a happy coincidence, their Pride celebration was that weekend, so we got to take the small beasts to the parade. It was awesome. There was a lot of commercial interests, but as someone who remembers when most businesses felt that associating with "the gays" was unacceptable, I welcome the change in attitude. Also, there were a lot more unions than I remember seeing in any US Pride event. The whole city and the airport were sporting rainbow signs, rainbow lights, and visibly queer folks. I was so happy that I may have cried just a little bit.
We live in a small, fairly conservative city. A non-discrimination ordinance failed here several years ago. Our second locally organized Pride parade is tomorrow. We're walking with a group from my work, and the girls are super excited about wearing new rainbow tutus. I've personally invited just about everyone I directly work with to come walk with us.
But I'm also dreading the realization of how this still feels like a protest march rather than an open celebration. I think I'm ready to move on to a better location. I feel guilty about it, but I'm tired of constantly combatting the local culture, and I want my kids to see a bigger, kinder, more diverse world.
