The Parade Still Has a Place

There's many places that are having their pride celebrations at the moment.  This is a good documentary about some ugly events in recent memory that were done by the government.  I love George Takei, not only for his wit, but for how he educates people on the treatment of the Japanese during the war.  As I live on the west coast, it's something I am aware of.  We have something called the P.N.E. each year (Pacific National Exhibition); it's a place where there's a roller coaster and other amusements.  However, during the war, Japanese citizens were housed in the cattle and horse barns.  Others went inland--their homes, fishing boats and property were seized.  We did not do this to the Germans and Italians with whom we were also at war.

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In this half hour documentary, he and others read and discuss events that caused respected workers to kill themselves.  The red scare in the fifties also targeted gays and destroyed  lives and careers.  When people ask why there is still a need for the parade, it's because people still want to do away with these rights.  There are countries where gay people, or those who are suspected of being so based on having the wrong clothing or hair cuts are stoned to death or pushed of rooftops.
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Government War on Gays
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Lest any Canadian act smug and say this is in the U.S., I have written about my summer job working with the RCMP.  While I did not get asked the question, one of the women I had several classes with was very upset when the hiring officer wanted to know if she was a lesbian.  That was the exact word he used.   He probably had some stereotype in his head and since she had short hair and a square jaw, she matched that image.    Nevermind that she had a longterm boyfriend.   At that time it was okay to ask and it was okay to deny employment.  It was only years later  that somebody fought them on this issue.

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The military continued to deny gay people employment until fairly recently. 

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There are still jobs where, depending on the posting, they aren't always welcoming.  On paper the acceptance is there.  On paper it's inclusive.  In practice, it's another story.

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