CANADA: College Professor Fired After Saying "Queers Should Be Hanged"

CBC News reports:

An Ontario college announced one of its professors "is no longer an employee" at the school after he allegedly posted a homophobic comment on Facebook. St. Lawrence College said it had received a complaint about the recent comment that business professor Rick Coupland allegedly posted on Facebook. Spokeswoman Kelly Wiley called the comment "deeply concerning." "As a result of complaints about comments made on social media that were brought forward to the College, this matter was investigated internally. Mr. Coupland is no longer an employee at St. Lawrence College," the school tweeted on Tuesday. Screenshots of an alleged post by Coupland circulating on social media purport to show him sharing a link to a story about a rainbow flag being raised in St. Petersburg, Fla., accompanied with the comment, "It's the queers they should be hanging, not the flag."

Coupland's Facebook page has been deleted.

CANADA: Ontario Bans "Ex-Gay" Torture

Ontario has become the first Canadian province to ban "ex-gay" torture. Via the Toronto Star:

Ontario has passed a landmark law banning so-called “conversion therapy” on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender children and preventing medical practitioners from billing OHIP for it. The legislation proposed by New Democrat MPP Cheri DiNovo won unanimous support from all three parties at Queen’s Park on Thursday, in time for Pride week, which begins June 19. It’s the first law of its kind in Canada and goes further than conversion therapy bans in several U.S. states by including protection for the transgender community. “We’re sending an incredibly strong message . . . there’s absolutely no room in an inclusive society for trying to change somebody’s sexual identity or their gender expression or their gender identity,” DiNovo told the Star. She said LGBTQ children are sometimes forced into the therapy by anxious parents and noted transgender people have an attempted suicide rate of 50 per cent. Susan Gapka, founder and chair of the Trans Lobby Group, called the bill “huge progress” while Health Minister Eric Hoskins, a family doctor, called conversion therapy a “dangerous treatment” and said people have the right “to be who they are.”

In the US "ex-gay" torture is banned in California, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington DC.

Toronto Faces Used Ford Trade-In

REPORT: Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Was Kicked Out Of Rehab For Being Disruptive

According to a report published by the Toronto Star, embattled Mayor Rob Ford's claims of a successful stint in crack rehab are untrue.

Mayor Rob Ford pushed and scuffled with fellow rehab residents and was so verbally abusive that he was kicked out of his group therapy program, according to people who have knowledge of his two month stay at GreeneStone. These accounts of what one person referred to as “destructive behaviour” stands in stark contrast to Ford’s recent public statements that he had a healthy experience and takes his recovery seriously. “Ford broke things, got into fights with other residents,” said one source with knowledge of the mayor’s time in rehab at the resort-turned-drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility in Muskoka. “Ford stopped people from sharing their stories, which is key to a successful rehab experience,” said another source. “Other residents felt intimidated. They felt he was a bully. He was always saying he did not belong there.” Management was concerned Ford continued to use drugs or alcohol during his time in rehab.

RELATED: Yesterday the Toronto City Council delivered a standing ovation to WorldPride organizers and the openly gay councilwoman considered to have been key in creating the most successful event in its history. Ford pointedly remained seated and did not applaud. He also refused the councilwoman's plea to lift his hold on an item that would authorize a study to create a homeless shelter for LGBT youth.

(Tipped by JMG reader Simeon)

TORONTO: Shirtless Bear Jogger Confronts "Homophobe" Mayor Rob Ford

Embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was met with jeers and insults when he marched in his city's Canada Day Parade this afternoon. One passerby in particular captured the media's attention when he repeatedly called Ford a racist and a homophobe Via CBC News:

Ford was at one point confronted by local resident Joe Killoran — a Toronto-area teacher who was apparently out for a jog when he crossed paths with the mayor's entourage. Killoran hurled questions and accusations at Ford while the mayor's staff attempted to intercede. "Answer one of the million questions people have for you," Killoran said. "People have a million questions about your lying and your corruption." Ford did not respond to Killoran. Someone in the crowd asked if he was working for one of Ford's political rivals. "Do I look like I'm with a campaign?" Killoran, who was shirtless at the time, responded. "I'm an East York guy out for a jog."

(Tipped by JMG reader Aaron)

UPDATE: A couple minutes of Google-stalking reveal that Killoran is a high school teacher who has written at least a few newspaper op-eds on educational issues. In 2011 the Toronto Star published his essay on the rights of LGBT students in Catholic schools. An excerpt:

Catholic apologists argue that church doctrine does not discriminate against gays but teaches adherents to “hate the sin, not the sinner.” This is the same position taken by the church toward pedophiles, rapists, murderers and war criminals. Does anyone seriously believe that classing gays with the most hated members of society will encourage heterosexual students to accept and befriend them? Proponents of public Catholic education point out that it is constitutionally protected. The fact that gay students enjoy equal constitutional protection to be free from discrimination is seldom mentioned. Eventually a choice will have to be made between the rights of the publicly funded Catholic school boards and the rights of its vulnerable gay students.

Yeah, we like this guy.

Ontario Elects Lesbian Premier

Last January, Kathleen Wynne became the premier of Ontario by a vote of Liberal Party delegates following the resignation of her predecessor, Dalton McGuinty. Yesterday she was elected as premier when her party won a majority of seats in the provincial legislature.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne is going back to Queen's Park with a majority government after Thursday night's stunning election win. After 40 days on the campaign trail, Wynne ran away with a victory and enough seats to form a majority government. Taking to the stage just after 11 p.m. to her campaign theme song, Katy Perry's "Roar," Wynne called the vote a "strong mandate." "You voted for jobs, you voted for growth, you voted to build Ontario up," Wynne said in her victory speech at the Sheraton Centre in downtown Toronto. "We're not going to leave anyone behind." Speaking directly to voters, Wynne promised to respect them. "You have put your trust in us and we will not let you down," Wynne said. "I will work every day to earn and keep the confidence of the people of Ontario." Wynne - the province's first openly gay premier - thanked her wife Jane Rounthwaite who joined her on stage to raise their hands together in victory. The vote is another milestone - it marks the first time the province has elected a female leader to the premier's job.

VIDEO: Here is Wynne's victory speech.

RELATED:  A minor firestorm broke out on Twitter last night after CBC anchor Robert Fischer referred to Wynne's "lifestyle choice."  Fischer reportedly apologized this morning.

TORONTO: Crackhead Mayor Rob Ford Wants City Hall Rainbow Flag Removed

Toronto's crackhead Mayor Rob Ford is furious that his town's city hall today raised a rainbow flag in solidarity with Russia's LGBT people.

“It’s not about someone’s sexual preference,” he told reporters as he left his office to go outside and inspect the Canadian flag he had just put up in his office window. “No, I do not agree with putting up the rainbow flag. We should put our Canadian flag up.” After going out onto the square to look at his office window at lunchtime, Mr. Ford rushed back to his office surrounded by reporters. “This is the Olympics. This is about being patriotic to your country. This is not about sexual preference.” Mr. Ford said he has asked the city manager to take the flag down. The Mayor’s outburst came after the rainbow flag was raised in place of the City of Toronto flag on the ceremonial flagpole on City Hall’s green roof. The pole is often used to recognize special days and the rainbow flag flies there each year during Pride Week. Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly said the raising of the flag, along with other municipalities, is a sign of solidarity. “This is an expression of Canadianism,” he said.

Earlier this week Ford declared that he would once again boycott this year's Toronto Pride events.

The Advent Of The Lesbian Bridezilla

Today's Toronto Star features a story about how a lesbian bride reacted to a wedding gift basket.  As JMG reader David notes via email, perhaps the most interesting part of the story is how the bride's sexual orientation isn't even mentioned other than in a passing reference to her bride.

Consider this: you attend the wedding of a casual acquaintance. You opt for your go-to gift — a basket filled with fancy salsas, oil, biscuits, marshmallow spread and more. You sign the card, “Life is delicious — enjoy!” Later, you get a text from the bride — “I want to thank you for coming to the wedding Friday,” it begins. “I’m not sure if it’s the first wedding you have been to, but for your next wedding … people give envelopes. I lost out on $200 covering you and your dates plate . … and got fluffy whip and sour patch kids in return. Just a heads-up for the future.”

It sounds like a Miss Manners hypothetical, but this was the drama that played out at a recent Hamilton wedding. Kathy Mason and her boyfriend gifted a food basket to Laura (who declined to give her last name) and her bride. When Laura suggested Mason poll “normal functioning people” about her basket-giving blunder, Mason brought the question to The Spectator and the Burlington Mamas Facebook group, where it garnered more than 200 responses in less than 24 hours. Even those who agreed cash was a more appropriate gift thought the bride’s reaction was rude.

A poll at the newspaper's site shows that by a 9-1 margin, readers feel the bride was in the wrong.  Readers are evenly split as to whether the gift itself was tacky.

Canada Celebrates Ten Years Of Marriage

Ten years ago today the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled that Canadian law on marriage violated the equality provisions in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in being restricted to heterosexual couples. Via the Globe And Mail:

A decade later, Michael Leshner and Michael Stark — Canada’s first legally married same-sex couple — believe the battle to have their union recognized by the courts has made it easier for today’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Canadians to feel accepted. “We were, I think, the last major group that in the public imagination was very discriminated against,” said Leshner. “Once you have marriage you have full equality. That was won that day.” Nicknamed “the Michaels,” the pair’s quick civil ceremony in Toronto came just hours after Ontario’s Court of Appeal pronounced the Canadian law on traditional marriage unconstitutional on June 10, 2003. While Ontario was the first to legally recognize same-sex marriage, many other provinces followed soon after. Two years later, the federal government legalized same-sex marriage countrywide with the gender-neutral Civil Marriage Act.

The Toronto Star has published an op-ed written by another gay man married that day.

The ceremony took a few minutes. Ever the gentleman, I let my groom sign the register first. And with the stroke of a pen, he became my husband, so-named on our marriage certificate. The clerk was embarrassed and apologetic as she wrote my name on the remaining line, the one for the wife. It was almost funny. And it was no big deal.  Outside, the wedding procession was not as joyful. Protesters, including busloads of Americans, were waiting to chant slogans at us. Clutching Bibles and flags, these paragons of morality linked my marriage with shame and sin. There were children with them, chanting along. None of it bore any resemblance to the applause and confetti that usually greets newlyweds.  I left under a hail of insults, shaken but standing tall. Sad, but overflowing with joy. I had one thing on my mind — the man of my dreams, whom I’d just married.

ONTARIO: Out Lesbian Elected Premier

Chris Geidner has the big news at Buzzfeed:

With 1,150 votes to Sandra Pupatello's 866 votes on the third ballot at the Ontario Liberal leadership convention on Saturday, Kathleen Wynne was elected to lead the party and becomes Ontario's first female premier — and Canada's first out LGBT premier. Wynne, 59, is married to Jane Rounthwaite, and the party's new leader said she believed her sexual orientation would not be an issue in the race or going forward. "The province has changed, our party has changed," she said earlier in the balloting. "I do not believe that the people of Ontario … hold that prejudice in their hearts." After the third balloting, Wynne said, "It is a remarkable night for all of us."

Ontario is by far Canada's most populous province. Provincial premiers are the US equivalent of a state governor.  There has not yet been an openly gay state governor in America, unless you count New Jersey's Jim McGreevey, who resigned halfway through his term in 2004 after confessing to cheating on his wife with a man.

Toronto Marlies: Against Homophobia

CANADA: Salvation Army Executive Director Busted For $2M Toy Heist

The executive director for the Toronto Salvation Army has been arrested for stealing more than $2M in toys from the organization.

David Rennie, the Salvation Army executive fired in the midst of an investigation into donated goods that disappeared from a Toronto warehouse, has turned himself into police. CTV Toronto reporter Tamara Cherry was there when Rennie walked himself into 33 Division shortly before 10 a.m. Monday. "That's the division where this has been investigated by police since the beginning of this month," Cherry said in an interview from the station. Last week, the Salvation Army notified the public that an internal audit had revealed that approximately 100,000 toys had disappeared from its Railside Drive warehouse over a two-year period. The approximate value of the toys is $2 million. Spokesperson Maj. John Murray said a whistleblower first called attention to the missing toys in August, which triggered the internal investigation. Rennie was later fired from his post as executive director of the Railside Dr. warehouse as a result of that probe.

Over the weekend investigators found 146 pallets of toys and child care products in a Toronto-area warehouse that presumably had been rented by Rennie.

Pity This Canadian Chicken Chain

Canada's Chick-Felays, which has four locations in Ontario, is getting complaints from customers who mistake it for Chick-Fil-A, which currently only has outlets in the United States.

“It shocks me that people would ask ‘How can you discriminate?’ How could you think that? We’re brown people,” chuckled [CEO Nabeel] Khan, who has found humour in the angry customers’ outbursts. Now, when patrons inquire on a possible relation between Chick-Felays and Chick-fil-A, Khan says his employees point out that the spelling, the menu and the logo are all different. But most importantly, the beliefs are different, he says. “We welcome everyone, customers and employees, with our arms open and our hearts open,” he said, sitting in a booth at Chick-Felays’s newly opened Mississauga location on Latimer Dr. “Working in the service industry, it’s nonsense to publicly say what (Dan Cathy) said. It’s not good for business.” He said the situation became so severe at Chick-Felays’s Listowel restaurant that a sign had to be placed in the window indicating “We are pleased to announce that we are not affiliated with Chick-fil-A.”

Chick-Felays opened its first store in 2010 and Khan doubtlessly hoped to cash in on Chick-Fil-A's name recognition. (Tipped by JMG reader Reality Bites)

Canada's GOProud

JMG reader Gigi sends us this photo from Toronto Pride, noting that GO is the commuter bus company that services the city's suburbs.

At Toronto Pride 2012

Did you know that Toronto Pride is the most-attended gay event in North America?

Headline Of The Day

Details.

Ontario Passes Anti-Bullying Bill

Over the screams of the Catholic Church, today the Ontario provincial legislature passed Bill 13, the anti-bullying ordinance that orders all schools to allow gay-straight clubs. Bill 13 was launched after the suicide of a 14 year-old gay boy, whose own father opposed the bill.

Catholic schools and parents will soon come to accept the provisions of the government's anti-bullying legislation, according to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. Ontario's anti-bullying bill, also known as Bill 13 or the Accepting Schools Act, passed through the legislature just before noon today by a margin of 65-36. Only the Progressive Conservatives voted against the legislation. Catholic educators and church leaders oppose the bill because it requires schools to allow students to call anti-homophobia clubs gay-straight alliances if they wish. McGuinty said the issue of protecting kids from bullying transcends all faiths and partisan politics. He added Catholics would understand the true significance of the bill is to build a stronger, more cohesive society.

Conservatives claim the bill is actually meant to cause Ontario to defund non-compliant Catholic schools.

UPDATE: The anti-gay LifeSiteNews weighs in.

“The battle begins,” said Mary Ellen Douglas, president of Campaign Life Coalition Ontario. ““The Minister of Education has said she will force the GSAs on Catholic schools, more or less whether they like it or not.” “I’m hoping that the bishops of Ontario realize what the implications are of this vote and for Catholic schools and will stand firmly with their people behind them,” she continued. “We have to wake up the people who are paying those tax bills about what has just happened in the legislature today.” The “anti-bullying bill” faced months of protests by parents and pro-family advocates who believe its hyper-focus on homosexual-related bullying represents a threat to parental rights and religious freedom.

ONTARIO: Father Of Bullied Dead Child Denounces Plan For Gay-Straight Clubs

The father of the boy whose suicide prompted Ontario's pending anti-bullying bill says that had his son belonged to a Gay-Straight Alliance, he would have been an even greater target. The father's words are now being heralded by anti-gay groups as evidence that schools should not allow such clubs. From the anti-gay LifeSiteNews:

“From what I read of studies of bullies, they look for what makes you separate from others. They look for something that—you’re different. It could be the clothes you wear; it could be anything,” said Jamie’s father Allan Hubley before the Standing Committee on Social Policy on May 22. He argued that legislating that each club be given a specific name such as Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) would be to deal with “the issue of bullying in a way that is sure to fail.”

“Jamie was the only openly gay person in his school of over 1,000 students,” the surviving father said. “A GSA with one member, or even a few, would only have made him more of a target.” “I have to ask you,” he continued, “How many people publicly announce their sexuality before they are out of school and established in their lives? Why, then, would we be considering forcing them to do so at an age when they already have so many pressures to manage?”

Ontario's Cardinal Thomas Collins has denounced Bill 13 as a "trampling of Catholic religious liberties." Catholic schools receive funding from Canada's provincial and federal governments.

Toronto Seeks A Gay NYC Couple...

Details.

ONTARIO: Provincial Government Orders All Schools To Allow Gay-Straight Clubs

Over the horrified screams of Catholic groups, the Ontario government is ordering all schools to allow gay-straight alliance clubs.

Ontario Education Minister Laurel Broten said there would be no compromises. “Schools need to be safe places for kids to be themselves — and for some kids, that means being able to name a club a gay-straight alliance,” Ms. Broten said. “I don’t think there’s anything radical about allowing students to name a club.” Church sources said they were blindsided and disappointed by the announcement. Cardinal Thomas Collins, the head of the Archdiocese of Toronto, is expected to make a statement on Monday. The change in the provincial Liberals’ new anti-bullying bill — the Accepting Schools Act — is part of a government initiative to create a “safe and accepting climate” in schools, including Catholic schools, Ms. Broten said.

Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins has issued a public letter denouncing the plan.

GSAs are the only particular method or strategy mentioned by name in Bill 13. That is interesting. Now, with the recent change in policy, if any student insists on this particular method, then the trustees and principals who are responsible for the religious foundations of the school are compelled to agree. As pastor of a large diocese, on the road constantly visiting the people, I have again and again heard concern from parents and educators about the proposed imposition of the GSA methodology on Catholic schools. That same concern has been expressed to me by people of other faiths, since parents often choose to send a child to a Catholic High School precisely because they expect a particular approach to life which is largely in harmony with their family and faith convictions.