Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Visits Gay Bar In Advance Of Vancouver Pride

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (image via Twitter/JustinTrudeau)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made headlines yesterday when he stopped in at the Fountainhead Pub in Vancouver's West End in advance of the city’s Pride celebration this weekend.

Many believe this may have been the first time a sitting Prime Minister dropped by a gay bar.

According to Taran Parmar, reporter for City News 1130, Trudeau walked around the pub shaking hands and posing for photos for about fifteen minutes.

Parmar described the scene as, “Lots of cheering, lots of excitement, a lot of people that tried to rush him and take a picture as well as take his hand."

“Vancouver is gearing up for #Pride weekend right now, but the spirit of pride and inclusivity is strong here all year long!” wrote Trudeau from his own Twitter account. “Thanks to the folks at @fountainheadVAN for the warm welcome today.”

This is the first time a sitting Canadian PM has visited a gay bar, and may even be the first instance the leader of a country has done this. @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/Vt5o1g6pum

— Taran Parmar (@Tarankparmar) July 30, 2019

Vancouver is gearing up for #Pride weekend right now, but the spirit of pride and inclusivity is strong here all year long! Thanks to the folks at @fountainheadVAN for the warm welcome today. pic.twitter.com/vQWgTUG9xw

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 30, 2019

People genuinely happy to see ⁦@JustinTrudeau⁩ as he visits the Fountainhead Pub, in the heart of Vancouver’s gay village. Apparently first sitting head of state to do visit a gay bar. No surprise. ⁦@HedyFry⁩ has held this seat for 25+ years. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/cIql23PRBR

— Charmaine de Silva (@char_des) July 30, 2019

The prime minister has a strong history of supporting the LGBTQ community.

In 2016, Trudeau became the first sitting prime minister to take part in Toronto’s Pride Parade, the largest LGBTQ pride celebration in Canada.

In 2017, he issued a public apology to gay Canadians who were fired from jobs and dismissed from the military from the 1950s through the 1990s. "It is our collective shame that you were so mistreated," said Trudeau speaking at the House of Commons.

Additionally, he introduced the Expungement of Historically Unjust Convictions Act, which erased the records of Canadians who were previously convicted of "consensual homosexual activity." That legislation was passed last June.

Social media celebrated the visit by Trudeau posting selfies with the Prime Minister.

One Instagrammer wrote, "When the Canadian Prime Minister comes into a gay bar in Vancouver and asks your name," adding the hashtag #LivingMyBestLife.

View this post on Instagram

When the Canadian Prime Minister comes into a gay bar in Vancouver and asks your name 😱😁😂#squealinglikeagirl #rightplacerighttime #justintrudeau #livingmybestlife

A post shared by Arjun Kumar M.D. (@doctorfunlove) on Jul 29, 2019 at 6:21pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Kicking off Pride week with my best friend, my MP, and my Prime Minister. Not too shabby! 🇨🇦🏳️‍🌈 • • • #vancouver #pride #prideweek #justintrudeau #hedyfry #gaypride #gay #instagay #liberal #vancouverpride #gayboy #instagay #beard #scruff #primeminister

A post shared by Tommy D (@imtommyd) on Jul 29, 2019 at 6:17pm PDT

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Prime spot for the Prime Minister #justintrudeau #ohcanada @crabbcam

A post shared by Ally Harrison (@allyharrison99) on Jul 29, 2019 at 5:53pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Here’s @justinpjtrudeau when he made a stop at @thefountainheadpub on Davie Street today. It may have been the first time a sitting PM stopped in at a gay bar. Find the link in our bio to read more about what happened. #prideweek #justintrudeau #vancouver #pride #primeministerjustintrudeau

A post shared by NEWS 1130 (@news1130radio) on Jul 29, 2019 at 8:11pm PDT

Cuba Cancels Pride Events Due To 'Uncertainty The Country Is Experiencing'

The Washington Blade is reporting that Cuba's annual International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia marches - scheduled for May 11 in Havana and May 17 in Camagüey - have been cancelled.

Posted on the Facebook page of the National Center for Sexual Education, which is directed by Mariela Castro, is a statement saying the events were cancelled due to "current uncertainty the country is experiencing."

The Facebook post goes on to say the Cuban Ministry of Public Health made the decision to cancel the events.

The first Pride parade held in Cuban occurred in 2009.

LGBTQ Cubans were disappointed when marriage equality was removed from a draft of Cuba's new constitution.

From last year's Pride event:

Hundreds Of Thousands Attend 2016 Tel Aviv Gay Pride Parade

Tel Aviv Gay Pride, the largest Pride event in the Middle East, attracted hundreds of thousands of attendees to it's annual parade on Friday.

From the Jerusalem Post:

The parade, which took off from Tel Aviv’s Gan Meir at noon and included music, festivities, speeches and shows, is the largest Pride Parade in the Middle East.

This year’s event spotlighted “Women for a Change,” an organization that highlights the role of women in the LGBT community.

Additionally, the parade included events like a fashion tour, a Eurovision event and the hallmark of the festivities, the LGBT Film Festival.

Las Vegas LGBT Pride Festival Today

Hey hey hey Las Vegas! Come on out today and get your Pride on!

The weather is looking to be beautiful, just like all the shiny, happy people at Pride Fest.

I want to see you there! Come up and say 'hey' if you see me :)

Here's the details - Happy Pride!

Las Vegas LGBT Pride Night Parade Tonight!

Hey Las Vegas! Do not miss tonight's official Las Vegas Pride Night Parade!

The pre-show at the main stage begins at 7pm and the parade kicks off at 8pm.

See you there! #GetYourPrideOnVegas

For more info head over to LasVegasPride.org

Nick Jonas To Headline Pittsburgh Pride After Iggy Azalea Drops Out Days From Event

Exit the hater; enter the hunk.

Rapper Iggy Azalea dropped out yesterday as the headliner for Pittsburgh Pride in the Street over mounting criticism regarding racist and homophobic tweets published years ago before she was famous.

It looked like Pittsburgh Pride was in a tight spot, but LGBT ally, hunky KINGDOM star, and current "It" guy Nick Jonas rides in to the rescue.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports:

“Nick had heard about Pittsburgh Pride in the media and called us on Tuesday and said he would like to come and perform,” said Gary Van Horn, president of presenting nonprofit Delta Foundation of

Pittsburgh, in a statement. “He has been a supporter of the LGBT community, and he wanted to make sure that the community and Pittsburgh had a Pride event that they could be proud of.”

“When I heard about the difficult position Pittsburgh Pride was in just days before their event, I knew I had to find a way to help,” said Mr. Jonas.

“I'm excited to do what I can to support the LGBT community in Pittsburgh, and I look forward to seeing you this Saturday as we celebrate together."

Mario Lopez Named Grand Marshall For Miami Beach Pride 2015

Emmy Award winning host of the popular nationally syndicated entertainment program Extra, Mario Lopez will preside over the 2015 Miami Beach Gay Pride parade and festival as Grand Marshal, announced Mark Fernandes, chair of the Pride Board.

As Grand Marshal, Lopez will lead the enthusiastic and colorful parade that is expected to draw more than 100,000 spectators on Sunday, April 12.

The Miami Beach Gay Pride parade kicks off at noon along famed Ocean Drive between 5th and 15th Streets and will be followed by the Pride Festival with live performances from four stages, community booths and refreshments.

An ardent proponent of LGBTQ issues, Lopez is a long-time supporter of GLAAD.

- press release

Belgrade Hosts First Gay Pride Celebration in Four Years

Yesterday in Belgrade, over 1,000 people took part in the first gay pride event in four years.

The past three years saw pride events cancelled due to threats and protests. Only small outbreaks of violence occurred thanks in great part to the protection by thousands of riot police.

From Gay Star News:

Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic warned yesterday that 'whoever tries to provoke incidents will be very, very severely punished.'

Belgrade Mayor Sinisa Mali and Michael Davenport, the head of the European Union's delegation to Serbia, were among the politicians and dignitaries in attendance.

'Belgrade is an open city, which means it is open to all and that everyone here is equal,' Mali said, as reported by Radio Free Europe.

The country, which is pursuing EU membership, has reportedly come under pressure from the Union, which says the event is a test of Serbia's commitment to the fundamental freedoms promoted by the bloc.

Homophobia is widespread in Serbia, often supported by right-wing parties and church leaders.

Pride: 45 Years Of Progress

As we celebrate LGBT Pride here in Las Vegas, it’s important to note that 2014 marks the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City which ostensibly began the modern gay rights movement.

In the early morning of June 28, 1969, members of the New York Police Department raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar located in Greenwich Village. Raids were not uncommon in the 1960s, but this time history would be made.

The gay men at the Stonewall were gathered in communal grief for the loss of gay icon Judy Garland. As the police intruded on the collective mourning, gays and drag queens realized they had had enough. Rising up, the raid turned to riot as the scene spilled out into the streets and purses swung in protest.

Arrests were made that night, but the anger and passions born that night were undeniable, and would never be buried again.

The next year, on June 28, 1970, the first Gay Pride march took place in New York City beginning on Christopher Street and ending 51 blocks north at Central Park.

Fast forward forty-five years:

At this writing, marriage equality is legal in 19 states and the District of Columbia.

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has come and gone. Now all Americans, gay or straight, can serve and defend the country they love.

President Obama, taking his presidential powers as far as he can, has signed an executive order banning workplace discrimination for LGBT employees of federal contractors.

The first Gay Pride events were, in great part, about visibility. Today, while there’s still work to do, I feel that our Pride Parades & Festivals are about celebrating.

Celebrating our progress, our achievements, and most importantly, celebrating US.

I'm very big on diversity.  And Pride is a great time to acknowledge the vast, wide-ranging clan that we are. From corporate button-down gay dads to drag queens; from soccer mom lesbians to leather queens; from bisexuals to transgender folks. We all make up the rich homo-goulash that is the LGBT community. And I think we need to pay credence to ourselves as a community.

Because, if we can’t honor ourselves as a diverse tribe, how do we expect the rest of the world to do so?

LGBT Pride is a time to celebrate that we are all skin tones, backgrounds, politics, professions, economic classes, flaws and foibles.

We are fabulous.

And as you shiny happy people dance into the light this Pride, stop and toss some invisible rainbow glitter in tribute to the drag queens and gays of the Stonewall riots of 45 years ago.

We stand today on their very broad shoulders.

Forward.

Children at gay pride / children at church

Source unknown.  

Via George Takei's Twitter

Pittsburgh police officer under investigation for punching teenager at Gay Pride event

A Pittsburgh police officer has been placed on administrative duty pending an investigation after he was caught on video punching a teenage girl who had been confronting Christian protesters during the city's gay pride event.

From WPXI:

According to the criminal complaint, Ariel Lawther was fighting with a man named Eric Moore. The officer involved said when he went to break the fight up, he was pushed and kicked. The complaint stated that the officer, “pulled the woman out and grabbed her hair and punched her in the stomach a few times.”

Channel 11’s Pamela Osborne spoke with Jenny Kenny who recorded the alleged incident.

“From the very beginning, he grabbed her neck and he shouldn’t have done that,” said Kenny.

Channel 11’s Rick Earle reported that sources say the woman involved was arrested and is facing several charges, including resisting arrest.

Lawther posted $5,000 bail and has since been released from the Allegheny County Jail.

According to several witnesses, the girl did not assault the police officer. Watch the clip below. The alleged assault starts around 3:00. You don't see the very beginning seconds of the altercation, but it is hard to imagine that in two seconds the officer was assaulted to the point of justifying the force used here.

(via JMG)

Pentagon supports LGBT Pride 2014

(source)

Hat tip to JoeMyGod for pointing up this year's LGBT Pride poster issued by the Pentagon.

Las Vegas: Pride Family Bingo tonight at Circus Circus

Las Vegas celebrates LGBT Pride 2013 this week, and there are lots of events to show up and have some fun.

Tonight at Circus Circus is Pride Family Bingo - a Las Vegas Pride tradition. Now, you know this isn't your grandmother's bingo :)

SNAPI hour is at 6pm, with the games beginning at 7pm.  So head over to the Grand Ballroom tonight in the Skyrise Tower and get ready for more events all week as Las Vegas celebrates Pride.

More info on events at www.LasVegasPride.org

Why there isn't a "straight Pride" movement

(via Facebook)

Iconic Las Vegas sign to change colors to celebrate 30th Las Vegas Pride Celebration

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the Southern Nevada Association of Pride, Inc (SNAPI) with support from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) will be changing the light bulbs of the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign in support of Las Vegas PRIDE, a celebration that supports members of the LGBT community and their straight allies.

The re-lighting of the Las Vegas sign takes place on Friday, August 30, 2013 at 10:00am. The following day, August 31st, will kick-off a series of festivities including a family skate night, family bingo, brunches, pool parties, and of course the PRIDE Parade and Festival.

Currently bordered with 89 chasing yellow incandescent bulbs, the sign will take on the hues of red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple to emulate the LGBT rainbow flag, the symbol of diversity for the LGBT community. The lighting change will continue for a period of 11 days.

Present at the sign’s unveiling will be Dina Titus (D), member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Nevada's 1st Congressional District, who has been a pivotal supporter of the Las Vegas LGBT community for years; and Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani.

“This is an historic moment for the Las Vegas community to recognize HRC’s PRIDE, especially on the event’s 30th anniversary,” said, James Healey (D) member of the Nevada Assembly’s 35th District who will also be in attendance at the re-lighting. “The ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign is an internationally celebrated icon and by turning rainbow in celebration of Pride Week, it shows the world how welcoming Las Vegas is to its LGBT community members, visitors and allies. I am thrilled to be a part of history.”

For more information regarding PRIDE 2013, a destination PRIDE, and to purchase tickets to the Festival, please visit: www.hrc.org/lasvegaspride.

The public is invited to stop by and have their photo taken with the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign between August 30 and September 8, 2013.

(via press release)

First gay pride parade in Montenegro marred by hundreds of violent anti-gay protesters

Montenegro is a country in Southeastern Europe. On the coast of the Adriatic Sea, it is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest. It is classified as a middle income country by the World Bank.

The Associated Press reports on the first ever gay pride parade held in the country yesterday:

Several hundred extremists shouting "Kill the gays" attacked gay activists and clashed with police on Wednesday in a bid to disrupt the first ever pride event in staunchly conservative Montenegro, which is seeking to improve its human rights record as it bids to join the European Union.

Angry assailants threw rocks, bottles, glasses and various other objects — including chairs from local cafes — at several dozen flag-waving gay activists who shouted back "Kiss the gays." A shower of stones and bottles also landed on special police securing the gathering in the coastal town of Budva.

Police then intervened to push the attackers away and allow the event to continue. The participants briefly marched by the sea before they stopped to hold speeches as extremists shouted insults from a distance. Later, police again clashed with smaller groups of extremists scattered throughout the town.

San Diego gets it's Pride on!

Gay Pride in San Diego today!  Lots of shiny, happy people share in LGBT community spirit.

Click on a pic to enlarge view.

Uniformed servicemembers march in San Diego Gay Pride Parade

The fabulous George Takei waves to the crowd

The big parade marches by

Shiny happy people

Inspire, Hope, Change

Celebrate!

Dancers on the Dr. Bronner's Soap float
covered in suds during the San Diego Pride Parade.

Watching the big parade go by

All photos by Hayne Palmour IV

(source)

Christian love at San Diego Pride

Gay Pride in San Diego today. Pride in who we are; love for our community; good vibes all around.

Well, not ALL around.

As a gay Catholic group passes, a good Christian man on his PA system: "Shame on you. You will go to hell with those child-molesting freaks. No wonder you want to be a Catholic. Shame on you."

Is that what Christ would do?

(h/t JMG)

Marines authorized to wear uniforms in San Diego Pride Parade

In addition to the Navy, the Marines have authorized LGBT servicemembers to wear their uniforms at San Diego's Pride Parade this weekend.

Via press release from San Diego Pride:

As the city gears up for this weekend’s annual San Diego LGBT Pride festivities, Marines and sailors with I (First) Marine Expeditionary Force have received authorization to wear approved uniforms in the 39th annual Pride Parade on Saturday, July 13 at 11 am.

This follows authorization by the Department of Navy, Navy Region Southwest, authorizing active duty Navy servicemembers under its command to wear their uniforms in the parade.

Life after DADT - where our military service members can be proud of all that they are.

Feels good, doesn't it?

Uniformed sailors granted permission to march in San Diego Pride Parade

San Diego will again see active duty sailors in uniform celebrate Gay Pride - and what's more inspiring than that?

Via press release:

Following a historic week of marriage equality victories, the United States Navy, Region Southwest has authorized active duty Navy servicemembers under its command to wear their uniforms in the San Diego LGBT Pride Parade on Saturday, July 13 at 11 am.

For the third year, servicemembers are invited to participate in the Military Contingent which leads the San Diego LGBT Pride Parade.

Over 300 servicemembers are expected to participate, either in uniform or in a branch specific T-shirt.

"San Diego has a strong military presence and a large LGBT community, and it is important to our LGBT servicemembers that we honor their full identity and service to our country. We are grateful to the Navy Region Southwest command for extending their support to our event and to these courageous servicemembers," said Stephen Whitburn, San Diego LGBT Pride General Manager.