I’ve been watching the Olympics and enjoying the great performances of our athletes—especially in the moguls races. One can’t help but feel a sense of pride as a Canadian watching the Games. I must admit, I was dubious about the success of the Games and am somewhat cynical when it comes to the spectacular cost of Olympic venues host cities face. However, once the opening ceremonies got under way, I had the glow of a proud Canadian, watching the incredible show unfold.
There was NO visible gay representation in the Olympics opening ceremony
A day after the opening ceremonies controversy began to brew. There were rumblings out of Quebec that there was not enough French in the Olympics and that this slight was a slap in the face to Quebecoise. We were out with some friends when this came up in conversation. There were the rolling eyes and the “Oh, stop complaining” comments that punctuated the reaction to the issue. Then I said, “Well, there was NO visible gay representation in the Olympics opening ceremony.”
I made the comment tongue-in-cheek to make the point that anyone who tried hard enough could find fault with the games, but then it opened up a Pandora’s Box of ideas about what makes up the Canadian identity—as amorphous as that is.
Why not a Rainbow Flag in the procession?
Canada is only one of a handful of countries in the world where same sex marriage is legal; where same sex couples (or single queers) can legally adopt; where there are entrenched laws protecting queers from discrimination in everything from workplace harassment to housing. Why not a Rainbow Flag in the procession? I’ll bet my bottom dollar there are more than a few queer athletes participating in the Games.
Yes, we have the Gay Games and the Outgames that celebrate gay sport, but wouldn’t it be great to have a host country rife with human rights put a little pink in the rings. That would send a huge message to the billions watching. Or maybe I’m just being nit-picky.
UPDATE: Since posting this piece a few hours ago, I’ve learned that the Vancouver Olympics is the site of the first-ever gay pavilion, Pride House. Along with a cocktail bar, lounge, art, venue to watch the competitions and an all-round queer hangout, Pride House speaks about the history of gays and lesbians in sports and the homophobia they face in the sporting world and general society. A Gold Medal to VANOC for including this historic pavilion!
