Saturday, November 24, 2012
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Americans vote for same sex marriage in 4 states & re-elect a pro-equal marriage President!
Let me just quickly celebrate the great re-election of Barack Obama on Tuesday night. He's the first President of the United States to publicly support same sex marriage.
I do think Obama's leadership on this issue this year played a part in the results in four states where referenda on same sex marriage was also being voted on. Maine reversed its previous vote against same sex marriage by finally endorsing it on Tuesday night by a 53% margin. Maryland followed suit on Tuesday with a 52% victory. Minnesota seems to have voted down an attempt to ban equal marriage in its law by a 52% margin. Out west, Washington state also voted for same sex marriage by a 52% margin. Coupled with that state's endorsement of recreational marijuana by a 55%, Washington becomes my new favourite place! I need to plan a nice summer trip out that way along with Vancouver soon!
Americans have shown they are progressing away from their conservative past into a more inclusive future. All progressives have great reason to celebrate this week.
Canadians continue to suffer under Stephen Harper's psychotic, paranoid, secretive rule. But at least the wingnuts in Canada's conservative party are being held at bay by the Prime Minister in favour of a moderate conservative agenda. The Republican Party in the U.S. would do well to learn from Canada's Conservatives on how to behave and win.
I'm at least glad to say that Canada's progressive parties are finally getting their acts together. The federal NDP continues to be a formidable force as the official opposition under Tom Mulcair and remain the greatest threat to the Conservatives. The Liberals are also fixing their leadership problems and look certain now to elect Justin Trudeau as leader, who I think will appeal to the hearts and minds of Canadians who don't like the bizarre tendencies of our current prime minister, particularly in areas which gave Harper his majority in 2011. Trudeau may end up being Canada's answer to Barack Obama like his father was Canada's answer to John Kennedy.
Interesting times indeed. For an interesting read on this topic, try this out:
Den Tandt: Americans were really voting to become more Canadian
I do think Obama's leadership on this issue this year played a part in the results in four states where referenda on same sex marriage was also being voted on. Maine reversed its previous vote against same sex marriage by finally endorsing it on Tuesday night by a 53% margin. Maryland followed suit on Tuesday with a 52% victory. Minnesota seems to have voted down an attempt to ban equal marriage in its law by a 52% margin. Out west, Washington state also voted for same sex marriage by a 52% margin. Coupled with that state's endorsement of recreational marijuana by a 55%, Washington becomes my new favourite place! I need to plan a nice summer trip out that way along with Vancouver soon!
Americans have shown they are progressing away from their conservative past into a more inclusive future. All progressives have great reason to celebrate this week.
Canadians continue to suffer under Stephen Harper's psychotic, paranoid, secretive rule. But at least the wingnuts in Canada's conservative party are being held at bay by the Prime Minister in favour of a moderate conservative agenda. The Republican Party in the U.S. would do well to learn from Canada's Conservatives on how to behave and win.
I'm at least glad to say that Canada's progressive parties are finally getting their acts together. The federal NDP continues to be a formidable force as the official opposition under Tom Mulcair and remain the greatest threat to the Conservatives. The Liberals are also fixing their leadership problems and look certain now to elect Justin Trudeau as leader, who I think will appeal to the hearts and minds of Canadians who don't like the bizarre tendencies of our current prime minister, particularly in areas which gave Harper his majority in 2011. Trudeau may end up being Canada's answer to Barack Obama like his father was Canada's answer to John Kennedy.
Interesting times indeed. For an interesting read on this topic, try this out:
Den Tandt: Americans were really voting to become more Canadian
Monday, November 5, 2012
Republican minority voting suppression tactics will hopefully end after 2012...
Further to recent revelations about forcing voters to show government issued photo ID in certain Republican-controlled U.S. states this election, let's look at another Republican tactic in this campaign: cancelling or cutting down on early voting, taking away opportunities to vote ahead of election day.
In Florida, where the race is currently neck and neck and every vote counts, in the last election, voters had 14 days to cast ballots before voting day. Not so this year. The Republican governor and legislature has seen fit to reduce those voting days to 8. See more below:
It had been an electoral tradition in Florida for blacks in various Florida churches to conduct "Souls to the Polls" trips to the early voting booths on the Sunday before elections as a way to promote voter turnout. This year, that tradition is cancelled by the Republicans.
How is this making voting accessible or encouraging people to vote? By cancelling opportunities they've always had to vote early? The agenda by the Republicans here is pretty clear.
I read some commentary recently that 2012 will be the last Republican year in which they attempt to suppress or crush the votes of Latinos, blacks and other minorities. Instead of doing what the Canadian Conservatives have done by reaching out to ethnic communities and tap into and grow support for the party, the largely white Republican party under the control of the racist Tea Party movement this election has taken a different tact: try to suppress minority votes, take away opportunities for them to vote and hope that the white vote will carry the day for Mitt Romney.
By 2016, the Latino vote will have grown so large in the U.S. that any party that ignores it will simply never win. The Republicans will be reaching out to them, not trying to shut down their voting stations. These tactics by the Republicans this year are so odious and are reason alone for me to hope for a just defeat for their presidential candidate. I don't believe for a second that Romney will do anything much different than Obama on the debt except irresponsibly lower taxes on the richest of Americans and create even more debt for that country. Obama will tackle the debt by bringing in tax reform that asks the richest to pay a bit more, while working hard for the middle class which is the engine of any economic recovery. Obama will govern to get 100% of America moving again, Romney was pretty clear he's only concerned about what he called the "53%".
I'll be hoping and praying that despite Republican attempts to suppress their opponents, all Americans who want to vote will still make their way to the polls and the democratic voice of America will reject these despicable voter suppression tactics.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Screenplay for 'THE GOLDEN PIN' by Matt Guerin & Cuong Ngo
This was the shooting script for the 2009 short film, 'The Golden Pin', which I co-wrote with director Cuong Ngo. I also worked as Associate Producer on this production. The script was 11 pages long and the final cut of the film including credits is 16 minutes. The film played at over 40 international film festivals, including Toronto's Inside Out Film Festival 2009 where it won 'Best Canadian Short.'
Here's the trailer to the short film, which will soon be licensed in 2012 in North America to OUTTV - I'll provide screening details when they become available.
We are currently working on a feature film version of this short film.
THE GOLDEN PIN
FADE IN:
INT. ATHLETIC CENTRE - SWIMMING POOL - DAY
Eight YOUNG ATHLETIC MALE SWIMMERS, all wearing black speedos and caps, dive into an eight lane pool and do the breaststroke. LONG, 25, a handsome, Asian, clean-cut man, in one lane, RYAN, 24, a handsome, Caucasian man is beside him . Their bodies have great form, their legs and arms whip in circles. The lap is finished and the swimmers hoist themselves out of the water except for Long who still has a half lap to go.
THE IMAGE OF LONG'S FATHER, PHONG, IS SUPERIMPOSED.
PHONG
(in Vietnamese)
Your mother and I could only have one child. We both wanted more. All of my brothers were killed during the Vietnam war...
BACK TO LONG SWIMMING
PHONG (V.O.) (CONT'D)
... You're the only hope to continue our family line. Only after you marry and have children, will we be happy.
Long reaches the end. Ryan is waiting for him. Ryan smiles at him and helps him out of the pool.
RYAN
It's just a dual meet. We'll win anyway.
LONG
I was thinking.
RYAN
About?...
Long looks at Ryan with concern.
FADE TO BLACK.
Phong (V.O.)
(in Vietnamese)
Never forget, we love you, Long. More than anything.
INT. LONG'S FAMILY HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
A lovely CHRISTMAS TREE is in the center of the room. We find Long's nephew TYCO, 22, is playing a Christmas song on his VIOLIN.
Long's mother LINH and father PHONG, his UNCLE and AUNT and two teenage male COUSINS, stand nearby watching. Phong leaves to go into the nearby kitchen. Near the tree, Long, VANESSA, 23, a gorgeous Vietnamese woman with long black hair, and Ryan stand together. While talking with relatives and friends, Linh sometimes observes Long, Ryan and Vanessa as if she's thinking something - a puzzle.
The SONG is finished and the adults applaud. Vanessa smiles at Long and then at Ryan.
RYAN
How'd you end up with a name like Vanessa anyway? You don't have blue eyes and blonde hair.
Vanessa about to say, but Long...
LONG
Her real name is Hien, but guess what? Vanessa Williams is her hero.
VANESSA
It's true.
Ryan and Long giggle with Vanessa.
VANESSA (CONT'D)
So Ryan, how long you been swimming with Long?
RYAN
Since last September when I joined the team.
VANESSA
He's cute, Long. I can see why Long hid you.
Vanessa laughs. Ryan giggles too.
RYAN
Eat your heart out baby!
While Linh is chatting with the guests. Phong prepares a tray of champagne flutes.
PHONG
Linh.
Phong signals to her to come over. Linh goes to him and stands next to him. The guests are mingles around. A SOUND OF A CHAMPAGNE CORK POPPED UP. People turn and see Phong pours the champagne to the champagne flutes. Linh gives a champagne flute to Vanessa. Phong holds the tray of champagne flutes and the guests take them.
Phong raises his glass to everyone: Linh, his wife, Long's uncles, aunts and cousins, along with Long, Vanessa and Ryan.
PHONG (CONT'D)
(in Vietnamese)
We've gone through a lot together, the ups and downs of life, the victories and defeats. We always look forward with optimism in the future of young people.
Ryan sees Vanessa's hand finds Long's hand.
INT. FLASH BACK - ALLAN GARDENS - VICTORIAN GREEN HOUSE - DAY
Montage of Long with Vanessa in the garden.
PHONG (V.O.)
(in Vietnamese)
... They will continue to contribute to the work of constructing a better world for the community and our family. Happiness or sadness, let the past rest in peace...
BACK TO CHRISTMAS SCENE, LONG'S FAMILY'S HOME - LIVING ROOM
LINH
(in Vietnamese)
...Today, we're here to cheer the reunion of the family and good friends...As in our tradition, to every man: a family is foundation and the source of happiness and success... "a grown up boy has to get married. A grown up girl has to get married." --- it is a beautiful cycle of life.
Long sees Vanessa softly interprets to Ryan.
LONG
Mom, Dad, if you two continue to speak in Vietnamese, I'm not sure Ryan can understand.
LINH
(in English)
Oh sorry my dear.
PHONG
(in English)
My wife and I are very please to announce to you all that my son Long will become man and wife with Vanessa.
Note: Phong's speech will be intercut with the scene Long & Vanessa in Allan Gardens.
INSERT:
In Allan Gardens, Long kneels down and opens the ring box - it's the beautiful engagement ring.
MATCH CUT TO:
INT. LONG'S FAMILY HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Vanessa raises the ring nervously.
PHONG
To our new daughter Vanessa.
Everybody raises their glasses and cheers. Vanessa goes to Long and throws her arms around him and kisses him. Linh begins to cry. Phong holds Linh close and tears come to his eyes as well. Ryan stares disbelieving.
INT. UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC CENTRE - SWIMMING POOL - DAY
After swim practice, Ryan and Long linger in their respective pool lanes. Long sees that Ryan is upset about something.
LONG
You alright?
RYAN
Why wouldn't I be?...How come you didn't tell me, Long?
Long looks away to see if anyone's listening. The last team mates disappear into the men's change room.
RYAN (CONT'D)
High drama. Christmas. Well done.
You gonna marry her?
LONG
Yes.
RYAN
What's going on, Long?
LONG
What do you mean?
RYAN
I mean what's going on?
LONG
We're friends. We can only be friends.
RYAN
We're not just friends, Long.
LONG
Ryan, I'm the last of my family line. I have to have children - boy children.
Ryan leans over to Long, touches his shoulder.
RYAN
We could have a good life together if you want.
Ryan touches Long's cheek. They look at one another lovingly. Ryan kisses Long.
Long gently pushes Ryan away.
RYAN (CONT'D)
I'm sorry.
LONG
No I'm sorry.
Long takes Ryan's hand tenderly and holds it for a moment.
LONG (CONT'D)
Vanessa's probably waiting for me.
Long pulls away, looks at Ryan as he backs away, turns and walks to the men's change room.
INT. ATHLETIC CENTRE - MEN'S SHOWER ROOM - DAY (LATER)
Long walks past some of his swim team mates under the shower. He finds an empty stall and begins to shower. The team mates turn off their showers and walk out of the shower room.
Ryan enters and sees Long under the shower. He takes off his speedo and tossing it to one side and walks over to Long and gets under the empty shower beside him. Ryan puts his head under the water.
INT. ATHLETIC CENTRE - HALLWAY - DAY (LATER)
Long leaves the men's locker room into the student filled hallway. He sees Vanessa waiting by the front door. She smiles and waves when she sees him. Long walks over to Vanessa. He gives her a kiss.
LONG
Let's go. I'm starving.
Ryan darts out of the men's locker room and spots Long.
RYAN
Long!
Ryan holds up Long's wet towel.
LONG
Thanks, bro.
Long walks over and grabs his towel, but Ryan doesn't let go of it. He stares at Long.
LONG (CONT'D)
I'll see you tomorrow?
Ryan shrugs.
LONG (CONT'D)
Later.
Ryan heads back to the men's locker room.
VANESSA
See ya handsome.
Ryan waves his hand but doesn't look at them and goes inside the locker room.
Vanessa takes Long by the hand and they start to walk down the hallway. Long looks upset.
VANESSA (CONT'D)
What is it? What's wrong?
She rubs his back. Long tries to give her a smile.
INT. LONG'S FAMILY HOME - ALTAR ROOM - NIGHT
In a darkened room, Linh lights a YELLOW CANDLE on the Buddha altar. She lights incense and puts it in a joss-stick pot. Close on an ANCIENT BOX on the altar. Linh takes it and opens it --- there is a GOLDEN HAIRPIN in it. She holds it up.
Flash back - INT. AN APARTMENT - SAIGON - 1978 - NIGHT
SUPER: "SAIGON 1978"
A picture of Saigon in 1978 in a frame, the camera pulls out and find: a darkened room, only a lit candle sits on a wooden table. A male hand is writing a letter with a fountain pen.
On the letter reads: (in Vietnamese)
Linh,
I'm sad to leave you without saying goodbye, but I have no choice. This hairpin belonged to my mother. It has passed down from generation to generation. I want you to have it as a gift for your wedding to Phong. Forget about me. Wherever I go you're always in my heart.
Anh Trung"
We hear a whistle. The man rushes to the window. Through the moonlight, a young man, 23, wears a dark shirt. This is TRUNG, Linh's boyfriend. He seems worried. He looks out of the window, down on the street...
Trung puts the hairpin into the ancient box and places it on top of the letter, grabs his clothes bag and rushes out of the room.
BACK TO PRESENT DAY
INT. LONG'S FAMILY HOME - ALTAR ROOM - NIGHT
Linh is deep in thought. She makes her hair up in hair bun and puts the hairpin on.
INT. LONG'S FAMILY HOME - LONG'S STUDIO - NIGHT (LATER)
In a low-lit room, a lonely bed is visible then the camera finds Long shirtless with pyjamas pants in the bathroom. He is getting the water from the faucet then splashes on his face. Long looks at himself as if he looks into infinity. The water rolls slowly down on his eye lashes; then it keeps rolling down on his face.
Long puts on his shirt and walks towards to the stereo. He grabs the remote control and hits the play button. Two pictures with black frame are next to the radio. Long holds up a picture. It's the picture of Long and Ryan are happily holding gold medals. He puts the picture face down next to the picture of him with Vanessa.
INT. LONG'S FAMILY HOME - STAIRCASE - NIGHT (LATER)
A hand holds a candle that is moving in a darken room. With the candle light, we see Linh. She ascends the staircase to Long's studio room upstairs.
INT. LONG'S FAMILY HOME - LONG'S STUDIO - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
The clock strikes. In the darkened room, Long stands by the window looking out at the full moon. His silhouette shadows the floor.
Linh comes into the room. She holds the lit yellow candle.
LONG
The music woke you? I'm sorry.
LINH
(in Vietnamese)
I couldn't sleep either. You're worried about your wedding?
Long remains in silence and sighs. Linh feels the atmosphere of Long's world.
LINH (CONT'D)
(in Vietnamese)
You always keep your space so different from the rest of the house. I like it.
Linh puts the candle down by to the stereo. She sees a picture laid face down. She puts it up. She looks at the picture of Long and Ryan for a few seconds.
LINH (CONT'D)
(in Vietnamese)
The day I was the bride, I chose a yellow dress although all the people on your dad's side went against it. Your dad knew my ex loved yellow roses but Phong considered that he shouldn't be jealous of someone already dead. I never told you this before. Just before the wedding day, my ex showed up in the camp. I was torn between love and obligation.
LONG
But you chose dad.
She comes close and hugs Long.
LINH
(in Vietnamese)
The night before the wedding, I wrote a farewell letter to your dad. So I could go back to my love. But my lover never gave me that chance. He vanished without a trace one more time. He left this golden hairpin as a wedding gift.
Long looks at Linh. His eyes follow as Linh takes a GOLDEN HAIRPIN out of her hair.
INSERT - FLASHBACK - INT. THEATRE - NIGHT
LINH (V.O.)
(in Vietnamese)
I remember we went to see a classic Vietnamese opera. The princess refused the King's order to end her relationship with the warrior who loved her and marry the foreign King she didn't love. So the King sent her: poison, rope and a sword. She refused all and chose her death like this...
An ACTRESS is on the stage. She dresses as a princess in a classic Vietnamese traditional opera. After finishing the last part of the song, she suddenly pulls out her hairpin and raises the hairpin and about stabs her own throat...
MATCH CUT TO:
Back to present
INT. LONG'S FAMILY HOME - LONG'S STUDIO - NIGHT
Linh raises the hairpin and pretends to stab her own throat. Her body shakes as if she is dying. But she looks at Long and smiles sadly. She gives him the hairpin.
LINH
(in Vietnamese)
But I didn't do that... People all have tragedies. But we need to let them go and move on. It's fate.
Linh gently strokes Long's face and hugs him tenderly.
LINH(CONT'D)
(in Vietnamese)
I want you to be happy and I want you to stand up for what you believe.
Linh snuffs out the candle and leaves the room.
Long remains deep in thought as the door closes. The full moon shines the sadness on Long's face as the room goes dark.
INT. ATHLETIC CENTRE - LOCKER - DAY
Ryan sits on a bench and he is in deep thought in an empty locker room. The men's change room doors open and Long enters. Ryan and Long look at each other tentatively.
INT. UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC CENTRE - SWIMMING POOL - DAY (LATER)
Ryan & Long stand on the deck stretching, along with the six other swim team members.
Long and Ryan stand in front of the two middle lanes, the other team members along side them.
The swimmers take their positions, ready to dive forward into the water. Ryan looks over at Long and smiles.
A WHISTLE blows. Long, Ryan and the other swimmers dive in.
Under water their forms are perfect, arms churning, bubbles frothing.
FADE TO BLACK.
Here's the trailer to the short film, which will soon be licensed in 2012 in North America to OUTTV - I'll provide screening details when they become available.
We are currently working on a feature film version of this short film.
THE GOLDEN PIN
FADE IN:
INT. ATHLETIC CENTRE - SWIMMING POOL - DAY
Eight YOUNG ATHLETIC MALE SWIMMERS, all wearing black speedos and caps, dive into an eight lane pool and do the breaststroke. LONG, 25, a handsome, Asian, clean-cut man, in one lane, RYAN, 24, a handsome, Caucasian man is beside him . Their bodies have great form, their legs and arms whip in circles. The lap is finished and the swimmers hoist themselves out of the water except for Long who still has a half lap to go.
THE IMAGE OF LONG'S FATHER, PHONG, IS SUPERIMPOSED.
PHONG
(in Vietnamese)
Your mother and I could only have one child. We both wanted more. All of my brothers were killed during the Vietnam war...
BACK TO LONG SWIMMING
PHONG (V.O.) (CONT'D)
... You're the only hope to continue our family line. Only after you marry and have children, will we be happy.
Long reaches the end. Ryan is waiting for him. Ryan smiles at him and helps him out of the pool.
RYAN
It's just a dual meet. We'll win anyway.
LONG
I was thinking.
RYAN
About?...
Long looks at Ryan with concern.
FADE TO BLACK.
Phong (V.O.)
(in Vietnamese)
Never forget, we love you, Long. More than anything.
INT. LONG'S FAMILY HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
A lovely CHRISTMAS TREE is in the center of the room. We find Long's nephew TYCO, 22, is playing a Christmas song on his VIOLIN.
Long's mother LINH and father PHONG, his UNCLE and AUNT and two teenage male COUSINS, stand nearby watching. Phong leaves to go into the nearby kitchen. Near the tree, Long, VANESSA, 23, a gorgeous Vietnamese woman with long black hair, and Ryan stand together. While talking with relatives and friends, Linh sometimes observes Long, Ryan and Vanessa as if she's thinking something - a puzzle.
The SONG is finished and the adults applaud. Vanessa smiles at Long and then at Ryan.
RYAN
How'd you end up with a name like Vanessa anyway? You don't have blue eyes and blonde hair.
Vanessa about to say, but Long...
LONG
Her real name is Hien, but guess what? Vanessa Williams is her hero.
VANESSA
It's true.
Ryan and Long giggle with Vanessa.
VANESSA (CONT'D)
So Ryan, how long you been swimming with Long?
RYAN
Since last September when I joined the team.
VANESSA
He's cute, Long. I can see why Long hid you.
Vanessa laughs. Ryan giggles too.
RYAN
Eat your heart out baby!
While Linh is chatting with the guests. Phong prepares a tray of champagne flutes.
PHONG
Linh.
Phong signals to her to come over. Linh goes to him and stands next to him. The guests are mingles around. A SOUND OF A CHAMPAGNE CORK POPPED UP. People turn and see Phong pours the champagne to the champagne flutes. Linh gives a champagne flute to Vanessa. Phong holds the tray of champagne flutes and the guests take them.
Phong raises his glass to everyone: Linh, his wife, Long's uncles, aunts and cousins, along with Long, Vanessa and Ryan.
PHONG (CONT'D)
(in Vietnamese)
We've gone through a lot together, the ups and downs of life, the victories and defeats. We always look forward with optimism in the future of young people.
Ryan sees Vanessa's hand finds Long's hand.
INT. FLASH BACK - ALLAN GARDENS - VICTORIAN GREEN HOUSE - DAY
Montage of Long with Vanessa in the garden.
PHONG (V.O.)
(in Vietnamese)
... They will continue to contribute to the work of constructing a better world for the community and our family. Happiness or sadness, let the past rest in peace...
BACK TO CHRISTMAS SCENE, LONG'S FAMILY'S HOME - LIVING ROOM
LINH
(in Vietnamese)
...Today, we're here to cheer the reunion of the family and good friends...As in our tradition, to every man: a family is foundation and the source of happiness and success... "a grown up boy has to get married. A grown up girl has to get married." --- it is a beautiful cycle of life.
Long sees Vanessa softly interprets to Ryan.
LONG
Mom, Dad, if you two continue to speak in Vietnamese, I'm not sure Ryan can understand.
LINH
(in English)
Oh sorry my dear.
PHONG
(in English)
My wife and I are very please to announce to you all that my son Long will become man and wife with Vanessa.
Note: Phong's speech will be intercut with the scene Long & Vanessa in Allan Gardens.
INSERT:
In Allan Gardens, Long kneels down and opens the ring box - it's the beautiful engagement ring.
MATCH CUT TO:
INT. LONG'S FAMILY HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Vanessa raises the ring nervously.
PHONG
To our new daughter Vanessa.
Everybody raises their glasses and cheers. Vanessa goes to Long and throws her arms around him and kisses him. Linh begins to cry. Phong holds Linh close and tears come to his eyes as well. Ryan stares disbelieving.
INT. UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC CENTRE - SWIMMING POOL - DAY
After swim practice, Ryan and Long linger in their respective pool lanes. Long sees that Ryan is upset about something.
LONG
You alright?
RYAN
Why wouldn't I be?...How come you didn't tell me, Long?
Long looks away to see if anyone's listening. The last team mates disappear into the men's change room.
RYAN (CONT'D)
High drama. Christmas. Well done.
You gonna marry her?
LONG
Yes.
RYAN
What's going on, Long?
LONG
What do you mean?
RYAN
I mean what's going on?
LONG
We're friends. We can only be friends.
RYAN
We're not just friends, Long.
LONG
Ryan, I'm the last of my family line. I have to have children - boy children.
Ryan leans over to Long, touches his shoulder.
RYAN
We could have a good life together if you want.
Ryan touches Long's cheek. They look at one another lovingly. Ryan kisses Long.
Long gently pushes Ryan away.
RYAN (CONT'D)
I'm sorry.
LONG
No I'm sorry.
Long takes Ryan's hand tenderly and holds it for a moment.
LONG (CONT'D)
Vanessa's probably waiting for me.
Long pulls away, looks at Ryan as he backs away, turns and walks to the men's change room.
INT. ATHLETIC CENTRE - MEN'S SHOWER ROOM - DAY (LATER)
Long walks past some of his swim team mates under the shower. He finds an empty stall and begins to shower. The team mates turn off their showers and walk out of the shower room.
Ryan enters and sees Long under the shower. He takes off his speedo and tossing it to one side and walks over to Long and gets under the empty shower beside him. Ryan puts his head under the water.
INT. ATHLETIC CENTRE - HALLWAY - DAY (LATER)
Long leaves the men's locker room into the student filled hallway. He sees Vanessa waiting by the front door. She smiles and waves when she sees him. Long walks over to Vanessa. He gives her a kiss.
LONG
Let's go. I'm starving.
Ryan darts out of the men's locker room and spots Long.
RYAN
Long!
Ryan holds up Long's wet towel.
LONG
Thanks, bro.
Long walks over and grabs his towel, but Ryan doesn't let go of it. He stares at Long.
LONG (CONT'D)
I'll see you tomorrow?
Ryan shrugs.
LONG (CONT'D)
Later.
Ryan heads back to the men's locker room.
VANESSA
See ya handsome.
Ryan waves his hand but doesn't look at them and goes inside the locker room.
Vanessa takes Long by the hand and they start to walk down the hallway. Long looks upset.
VANESSA (CONT'D)
What is it? What's wrong?
She rubs his back. Long tries to give her a smile.
INT. LONG'S FAMILY HOME - ALTAR ROOM - NIGHT
In a darkened room, Linh lights a YELLOW CANDLE on the Buddha altar. She lights incense and puts it in a joss-stick pot. Close on an ANCIENT BOX on the altar. Linh takes it and opens it --- there is a GOLDEN HAIRPIN in it. She holds it up.
Flash back - INT. AN APARTMENT - SAIGON - 1978 - NIGHT
SUPER: "SAIGON 1978"
A picture of Saigon in 1978 in a frame, the camera pulls out and find: a darkened room, only a lit candle sits on a wooden table. A male hand is writing a letter with a fountain pen.
On the letter reads: (in Vietnamese)
Linh,
I'm sad to leave you without saying goodbye, but I have no choice. This hairpin belonged to my mother. It has passed down from generation to generation. I want you to have it as a gift for your wedding to Phong. Forget about me. Wherever I go you're always in my heart.
Anh Trung"
We hear a whistle. The man rushes to the window. Through the moonlight, a young man, 23, wears a dark shirt. This is TRUNG, Linh's boyfriend. He seems worried. He looks out of the window, down on the street...
Trung puts the hairpin into the ancient box and places it on top of the letter, grabs his clothes bag and rushes out of the room.
BACK TO PRESENT DAY
INT. LONG'S FAMILY HOME - ALTAR ROOM - NIGHT
Linh is deep in thought. She makes her hair up in hair bun and puts the hairpin on.
INT. LONG'S FAMILY HOME - LONG'S STUDIO - NIGHT (LATER)
In a low-lit room, a lonely bed is visible then the camera finds Long shirtless with pyjamas pants in the bathroom. He is getting the water from the faucet then splashes on his face. Long looks at himself as if he looks into infinity. The water rolls slowly down on his eye lashes; then it keeps rolling down on his face.
Long puts on his shirt and walks towards to the stereo. He grabs the remote control and hits the play button. Two pictures with black frame are next to the radio. Long holds up a picture. It's the picture of Long and Ryan are happily holding gold medals. He puts the picture face down next to the picture of him with Vanessa.
INT. LONG'S FAMILY HOME - STAIRCASE - NIGHT (LATER)
A hand holds a candle that is moving in a darken room. With the candle light, we see Linh. She ascends the staircase to Long's studio room upstairs.
INT. LONG'S FAMILY HOME - LONG'S STUDIO - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
The clock strikes. In the darkened room, Long stands by the window looking out at the full moon. His silhouette shadows the floor.
Linh comes into the room. She holds the lit yellow candle.
LONG
The music woke you? I'm sorry.
LINH
(in Vietnamese)
I couldn't sleep either. You're worried about your wedding?
Long remains in silence and sighs. Linh feels the atmosphere of Long's world.
LINH (CONT'D)
(in Vietnamese)
You always keep your space so different from the rest of the house. I like it.
Linh puts the candle down by to the stereo. She sees a picture laid face down. She puts it up. She looks at the picture of Long and Ryan for a few seconds.
LINH (CONT'D)
(in Vietnamese)
The day I was the bride, I chose a yellow dress although all the people on your dad's side went against it. Your dad knew my ex loved yellow roses but Phong considered that he shouldn't be jealous of someone already dead. I never told you this before. Just before the wedding day, my ex showed up in the camp. I was torn between love and obligation.
LONG
But you chose dad.
She comes close and hugs Long.
LINH
(in Vietnamese)
The night before the wedding, I wrote a farewell letter to your dad. So I could go back to my love. But my lover never gave me that chance. He vanished without a trace one more time. He left this golden hairpin as a wedding gift.
Long looks at Linh. His eyes follow as Linh takes a GOLDEN HAIRPIN out of her hair.
INSERT - FLASHBACK - INT. THEATRE - NIGHT
LINH (V.O.)
(in Vietnamese)
I remember we went to see a classic Vietnamese opera. The princess refused the King's order to end her relationship with the warrior who loved her and marry the foreign King she didn't love. So the King sent her: poison, rope and a sword. She refused all and chose her death like this...
An ACTRESS is on the stage. She dresses as a princess in a classic Vietnamese traditional opera. After finishing the last part of the song, she suddenly pulls out her hairpin and raises the hairpin and about stabs her own throat...
MATCH CUT TO:
Back to present
INT. LONG'S FAMILY HOME - LONG'S STUDIO - NIGHT
Linh raises the hairpin and pretends to stab her own throat. Her body shakes as if she is dying. But she looks at Long and smiles sadly. She gives him the hairpin.
LINH
(in Vietnamese)
But I didn't do that... People all have tragedies. But we need to let them go and move on. It's fate.
Linh gently strokes Long's face and hugs him tenderly.
LINH(CONT'D)
(in Vietnamese)
I want you to be happy and I want you to stand up for what you believe.
Linh snuffs out the candle and leaves the room.
Long remains deep in thought as the door closes. The full moon shines the sadness on Long's face as the room goes dark.
INT. ATHLETIC CENTRE - LOCKER - DAY
Ryan sits on a bench and he is in deep thought in an empty locker room. The men's change room doors open and Long enters. Ryan and Long look at each other tentatively.
INT. UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC CENTRE - SWIMMING POOL - DAY (LATER)
Ryan & Long stand on the deck stretching, along with the six other swim team members.
Long and Ryan stand in front of the two middle lanes, the other team members along side them.
The swimmers take their positions, ready to dive forward into the water. Ryan looks over at Long and smiles.
A WHISTLE blows. Long, Ryan and the other swimmers dive in.
Under water their forms are perfect, arms churning, bubbles frothing.
FADE TO BLACK.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Electoral riding commission threatens to split Toronto's LGBT Village in Two....
The Commission looking into redistributing 338 ridings for the federal House of Commons for the next election (up from the current 308) has released its proposals.
They include adding 15 seats to Ontario's current count of 106. Most of the new ridings will be in the 905 around Toronto to take into account the growing populations in those areas. The City of Toronto gets 2 extra seats, including a new seat around Rosedale called 'Mount Pleasant,' which has a southerly border that runs right down Wellesley Street, slashing Toronto's downtown LGBT village in half. If adopted, voters in the village north of Wellesley but south of Bloor would be voting with Rosedale all the way up to Eglinton. Those south of Wellesley would vote in a smaller version of 'Toronto Centre.'
I think it's wrong to cut Toronto's gay village in two like this. Please see an email I sent below to the Commission today and the preliminary response:
From: Matt Guerin
Sent: August-28-12 4:56 PM
To: Commission office - ONTARIO - ontario@rfed-rcf.ca
Subject: concerns about new riding map for Toronto Centre/Mount Pleasant ridings
As you may know, the current Toronto Centre riding contains the largest concentration of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered) citizens than any other riding in Canada. The centre of this community is the Church & Wellesley neighbourhood in the heart of the current riding. What's become popularly known as 'The Village' stretches from Church & Wellesley north up to approximately Bloor Street, and extends south to approximately Carlton Street. Heading west, one could say Bay Street or University Avenue is the unofficial westerly border of the 'Village', while Sherbourne is likely the unofficial easterly border of the community.
Of course, many LGBT people live in Toronto outside of these boundaries, including myself. I'm an owner of a condo on Shuter Street near Church Street.
But without a doubt, the heart and centre of Toronto's LGBT is the Church & Wellesley intersection. I think if you did any sort of research into this issue, you'd find most Torontonians would agree with this.
That's why I was dismayed to see your new riding boundary proposals for Ontario, which include creating the new riding of Mount Pleasant, carved out of mostly the northern half of the current riding of Toronto Centre. The new riding of Toronto Centre instead runs south of Bloor, east of Sherbourne, and south of Wellesley Street to Queen's Park. Mount Pleasant runs mostly north of this same new line.
In putting part of the southerly border between these two new ridings right down Wellesley Street, you have in fact proposed to cut Toronto's LGBT community, aka 'The Village' right in half. By any reasonable standard, this line seems arbitrary. It would unnecessarily divide up Toronto's LGBT village into two, diluting the voting power of the community into two ridings. I fail to see what the renters in apartment buildings or coops or condo owners who live near Church and Dundonald or Gloucester or Isabella or Jarvis have in common with the millionaires who live in mansions in Rosedale or other rich neighbourhoods north of St. Clair East.
Furthermore, the voting power of the LGBT community now contained within the new riding of Toronto Centre will also be diluted by the majority to the south. However, I would at least agree that the income and other demographics of the new Toronto Centre riding are more in sync. In fact, I would argue that the small sliver of the gay village you are now proposing to include in Mount Pleasant has much more in common with the new proposed Toronto Centre riding.
I believe it is a mistake to put the border of these two new ridings down Wellesley Street and effectively divide one of Toronto's most vibrant and important communities in half. I would suggest that a better dividing line would be right down Bloor Street, leaving those communities of similar income and interest together in the new Toronto Centre riding to the south.
I worry the proposed border down Wellesley Street looks like a deliberate attempt to water down Toronto's downtown gay vote. I strongly urge your Commission to reconsider this border and place it north instead to run directly down Bloor Street between the two new ridings.
Sincerely,
****************************
From: Commission office - ONTARIO ontario@rfed-rcf.ca
To: Matt Guerin
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 5:11:52 PM
Subject: RE: concerns about new riding map for Toronto Centre/Mount Pleasant ridings
Thank you for your email of today's date. I will bring it to the attention of the members of the Commission.
Beverly Hayter
Toll free: 1-855-747-7224
They include adding 15 seats to Ontario's current count of 106. Most of the new ridings will be in the 905 around Toronto to take into account the growing populations in those areas. The City of Toronto gets 2 extra seats, including a new seat around Rosedale called 'Mount Pleasant,' which has a southerly border that runs right down Wellesley Street, slashing Toronto's downtown LGBT village in half. If adopted, voters in the village north of Wellesley but south of Bloor would be voting with Rosedale all the way up to Eglinton. Those south of Wellesley would vote in a smaller version of 'Toronto Centre.'
I think it's wrong to cut Toronto's gay village in two like this. Please see an email I sent below to the Commission today and the preliminary response:
From: Matt Guerin
Sent: August-28-12 4:56 PM
To: Commission office - ONTARIO - ontario@rfed-rcf.ca
Subject: concerns about new riding map for Toronto Centre/Mount Pleasant ridings
Dear Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario,
I am writing to express my concerns as a resident of the current riding of Toronto Centre and a member of the LGBT community.
As you may know, the current Toronto Centre riding contains the largest concentration of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered) citizens than any other riding in Canada. The centre of this community is the Church & Wellesley neighbourhood in the heart of the current riding. What's become popularly known as 'The Village' stretches from Church & Wellesley north up to approximately Bloor Street, and extends south to approximately Carlton Street. Heading west, one could say Bay Street or University Avenue is the unofficial westerly border of the 'Village', while Sherbourne is likely the unofficial easterly border of the community.
Of course, many LGBT people live in Toronto outside of these boundaries, including myself. I'm an owner of a condo on Shuter Street near Church Street.
But without a doubt, the heart and centre of Toronto's LGBT is the Church & Wellesley intersection. I think if you did any sort of research into this issue, you'd find most Torontonians would agree with this.
That's why I was dismayed to see your new riding boundary proposals for Ontario, which include creating the new riding of Mount Pleasant, carved out of mostly the northern half of the current riding of Toronto Centre. The new riding of Toronto Centre instead runs south of Bloor, east of Sherbourne, and south of Wellesley Street to Queen's Park. Mount Pleasant runs mostly north of this same new line.
In putting part of the southerly border between these two new ridings right down Wellesley Street, you have in fact proposed to cut Toronto's LGBT community, aka 'The Village' right in half. By any reasonable standard, this line seems arbitrary. It would unnecessarily divide up Toronto's LGBT village into two, diluting the voting power of the community into two ridings. I fail to see what the renters in apartment buildings or coops or condo owners who live near Church and Dundonald or Gloucester or Isabella or Jarvis have in common with the millionaires who live in mansions in Rosedale or other rich neighbourhoods north of St. Clair East.
In fact, with this new configuration, voters in the small sliver bordered by Wellesley/Sherbourne/Bloor East/Queen's Park Crescent will be forever overwhelmed by the tens of thousands of wealthier, heterosexual voters who will make up the vast majority of this new riding of Mount Pleasant.
Furthermore, the voting power of the LGBT community now contained within the new riding of Toronto Centre will also be diluted by the majority to the south. However, I would at least agree that the income and other demographics of the new Toronto Centre riding are more in sync. In fact, I would argue that the small sliver of the gay village you are now proposing to include in Mount Pleasant has much more in common with the new proposed Toronto Centre riding.
I believe it is a mistake to put the border of these two new ridings down Wellesley Street and effectively divide one of Toronto's most vibrant and important communities in half. I would suggest that a better dividing line would be right down Bloor Street, leaving those communities of similar income and interest together in the new Toronto Centre riding to the south.
I worry the proposed border down Wellesley Street looks like a deliberate attempt to water down Toronto's downtown gay vote. I strongly urge your Commission to reconsider this border and place it north instead to run directly down Bloor Street between the two new ridings.
Sincerely,
Matt Guerin
****************************
From: Commission office - ONTARIO ontario@rfed-rcf.ca
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 5:11:52 PM
Subject: RE: concerns about new riding map for Toronto Centre/Mount Pleasant ridings
Good afternoon.
Thank you for your email of today's date. I will bring it to the attention of the members of the Commission.
Beverly Hayter
Commission Secretary.
Toll free: 1-855-747-7224
Fax: 1-855-747-7225
Monday, July 2, 2012
Silver fox Anderson Cooper finally makes it official: "I'm gay"
Belated Happy Pride Day and Happy Canada Day wishes for all!
This news from CNN star Anderson Cooper was a nice post-Pride gift this morning. The silver fox have finally made it official and come out of the closet.
In an email to blogger Andrew Sullivan, Anderson writes: "I've also wanted to retain some privacy for professional reasons. Since I started as a reporter in war zones 20 years ago, I've often found myself in some very dangerous places. For my safety and the safety of those I work with, I try to blend in as much as possible, and prefer to stick to my job of telling other people’s stories, and not my own. I have found that sometimes the less an interview subject knows about me, the better I can safely and effectively do my job as a journalist."
I completely agree, particularly about the potential dangers an out and famous gay person might face simply for being honest in most parts of the world. But let's face it. His longtime reluctance to make his gayness official sent out the wrong message and that seems to have finally tipped the balance in his decision to come out publicly today:
"Recently, however, I’ve begun to consider whether the unintended outcomes of maintaining my privacy outweigh personal and professional principle. It’s become clear to me that by remaining silent on certain aspects of my personal life for so long, I have given some the mistaken impression that I am trying to hide something - something that makes me uncomfortable, ashamed or even afraid. This is distressing because it is simply not true...The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud."
We need to send the message that being gay is not a big deal, it's a natural part of the human experience and nothing to be ashamed about. Anderson Cooper reinforced that truth today. Good on him!
You can read the full story here on Andrew Sullivan's Daily Beast page.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Pride short-film showcase - 'It makes for a nice escape if people get a little Prided out' says Guerin
Pride short-film showcase ON SCREEN / 'It makes for a nice escape if people get a little Prided out' - Chris Dupuis / Toronto / Monday, June 25, 2012
If you love celebrating your gayness but can stand huge crowds and 30-plus temperatures for only so long, fear not! An island of cooling serenity awaits you, courtesy of the Canadian Media Guild. The organization’s first ever Pride Week LGBT Short Film Showcase features a collection of works screening daily over Pride week. The films play on a continuous loop, so viewers can drop by whenever it suits them, to get their dose of celluloid in air-conditioned comfort.
“Playing films for only one night can really limit audiences, especially during Pride Week because there is so much going on,” says programmer Matt Guerin. “Getting exposure for the works was as important as providing entertainment, so we wanted to make it as easy as possible for people to come by. It’s situated outside the Village, so it makes for a nice escape if people get a little Prided out.”
Guerin is a filmmaker who also works as a media librarian at CBC. He has brought together a diverse selection of films, including documentaries, animations, comedies and a few tearjerkers. Mostly Canadian, with a handful of international works, the event has something to suit every taste.
Rising star Jordan Tannahill’s Swim (which took home Inside Out’s Emerging Canadian Artist Award last year) will be featured. Based on the artist’s experience of losing a boyhood friend in a dare gone wrong, the piece attempts to relive the original tragedy, 20 years later.
“It’s only three minutes long, but it packs an emotional punch you rarely see in mainstream filmmaking,” Guerin says. “It’s an experimental work but still very accessible and quite beautiful to watch.”
Also on the bill is Mark Pariselli’s After, a dialogue-free exploration of three young gay guys’ fascination with a football-playing jock. Sexy without being explicit, dreamy without being pretentious, this unconventional exploration of teenaged lust has screened at more than 40 international festivals since its debut two years ago.
The program also features plenty of lighter works, including Betsy Kalin’s hilarious Chained! (a documentary chronicling the lesbian community’s fascination with wallet chains) and Christine Chew’s Slow Burn (a Western-infused comedy in which duelling tattoo artists battle for the chance to ink a mysterious girl for her first time).
Bunny is a film about an older gay couple struggling with Alzheimer's. Fresh off this year’s Inside Out program is local boy Seth Poulin’s heart-wrenching Bunny, about an older gay couple struggling with Alzheimer’s.
“I’ve never seen this kind of story told before anywhere,” Guerin says. “Most films aimed at gay audiences depend on young, good-looking guys as part of their selling point. For a filmmaker to tackle this kind of relationship is really daring.”
While short films rarely get exposure outside of festivals, Guerin insists they’re de rigueur viewing for anyone claiming cinephile status.
“Most filmmakers start out making shorts as they develop their abilities and get their name out there,” he says. “There’s an incredible array of talent on display here that you wouldn’t usually be able to see anywhere else. It’s a chance to see the future stars of cinema in the early stages of their career.”
The Deets:
2012 Pride Week LGBT Short Film Showcase Mon, June 25 to Fri, June 29, from 9am to 7pm all week Graham Spry Theatre
CBC Broadcasting Centre 250 Front St W Free 416-591-5333
More info at the event’s Facebook page
Saturday, June 2, 2012
The ignorant words of Rev. John Yake and other Catholic leaders
I have been following the ongoing debate in Ontario over the McGuinty government's attempts to address rampant bullying in Ontario's public schools.
I support the recent amendment to Bill 13 which gives high school students the right to use the name, 'Gay-Straight Alliance,' in school club titles should they choose to form such a group.
I went to a Catholic high school in the late 1980s. I wish I had had the chance to form or be a part of such a group. It would've made my high school experience safer. Just having the group in a school would make that school a safer place for LGBT youth, most if not all of whom are experiencing massive stress and isolation due to their sexual orientation (on top of the regular stress of being a teenager). Everyone who made it through adolescence should be able to understand that.
I am particularly disgusted with those who are using this issue to once again bash the LGBT community and denigrate our needs as irrelevant and worthy of neglect. Michael Coren once again buries his head in the sand on this issue, claiming that powerful church leaders (the type who in years past saw no problem protecting child rapists from the law) are now being bullied by the big, bad gay lobby and that gay kids aren't really victims of much bullying.
Coren writes in this column: "First, the dishonesty of the premise that gay children are bullied. Some are, of course, but there is no objective study concluding gays are targeted. Body image is the major reason for bullying and figures that indicate otherwise tend to come from gay organizations."
Of course, being gay organizations, Coren assumes that they can't be telling the truth? Coren is such an asshole and a bigot. You want objective proof of homophobia in schools? Just walk down any high school hallway and listen. When teachers aren't around, I guarantee you will hear some bully use the term 'fag' or 'faggot' in a hateful way within a few minutes. Sure body image is another major reason for bullying in schools. What is the insult of choice against fat kids? 'Fat faggot,' probably. Coren would focus on the attack against the kid's body image, but ignore the second part as irrelevant.
In truth, the vast majority of kids who are attacked using homophobic language in schools are in fact straight. Hence, the reasoning behind the establishment of Gay-Straight Alliances in the first place.
Privileged, inward-looking, ignorant, powerful people in the Catholic school boards and elsewhere like Coren are leading the charge against any recognition of gay abuse in our schools. They don't care about gay kids. They shrug as gay kids continue to contemplate suicide to escape the hell these boards have created for them. And they fight tooth and nail to keep the hatred in our schools unchallenged.
Shame.
When reading some letters to the editor on this subject in the National Post, I came across this ignorant letter from Reverend John Yake of Toronto which clearly points out the ignorance of those who are fighting Bill 13. As we know, gay kids are generally in the closet in high school. They don't feel safe coming out or even raising the issue of being gay for fear of attack, ridicule and further social isolation. Considering this truth, give Rev. Yake's words a look:
"There has been lots of hype over Ontario’s Bill 13, a measure to address bullying based on sexual orientation, but is this really a problem? I recently retired from a 33-year career in teaching where my role as chaplain involved listening to and counselling students. A support group program emerged where issues could be discussed if they were experienced by a number of students. Topics discussed ranged from bereavement, chronic illness, drug and alcohol abuse, families of divorced/separated parents and stress. In my 33 years, the issue of bullying based on sexual orientation never was raised. So what’s this really about? Might the real issue behind Bill 13 be the advancement of an anti-Catholic agenda, a strategy to undermine Christian values under the guise of protecting children? This suggestion sickens me not only because it unfairly uses people’s perceived pain to advance an ideology of hate but also because it is singularly unCanadian especially when exercised by a legitimately elected government that is obliged to guard rights of freedom of religion.
Rev. John Yake, Toronto."
For a former educator in the Catholic system, Rev. Yake displays a horrifying amount of ignorance on the subject he chooses to write and publish. Had I been a kid stuck in Rev. Yake's classroom or support group, I wouldn't have raised my issues of isolation and pain over my sexual orientation with him either. It's this disgusting Catholic ignorance which remains a thorn in the side of all of us who have survived this religion and this school system.
I want to commend Joanne Chianello for this great piece in the Ottawa Citizen this week on this subject. Her thoughts reflect many of my own as a lapsed Catholic.
If one good thing has come out of this debate (besides focusing the public on the issue of bullying in schools and, in particular, the massive vulnerability of LGBT youth in our schools), it has re-awoken the issue of public funding for Catholic schools in Ontario, reminding many of us how archaic Ontario truly is. We must end funding for Catholic schools now and unite the two systems into one, publicly funded, secular system. I wrote about one strategy for how the government could win a mandate to pursue this just path some months ago. I truly hope someone in the McGuinty government is listening and willing to end this historic injustice sooner rather than never.
UPDATE: Here's another lovely article from today's Globe by Tabatha Southey.
I support the recent amendment to Bill 13 which gives high school students the right to use the name, 'Gay-Straight Alliance,' in school club titles should they choose to form such a group.
I went to a Catholic high school in the late 1980s. I wish I had had the chance to form or be a part of such a group. It would've made my high school experience safer. Just having the group in a school would make that school a safer place for LGBT youth, most if not all of whom are experiencing massive stress and isolation due to their sexual orientation (on top of the regular stress of being a teenager). Everyone who made it through adolescence should be able to understand that.
I am particularly disgusted with those who are using this issue to once again bash the LGBT community and denigrate our needs as irrelevant and worthy of neglect. Michael Coren once again buries his head in the sand on this issue, claiming that powerful church leaders (the type who in years past saw no problem protecting child rapists from the law) are now being bullied by the big, bad gay lobby and that gay kids aren't really victims of much bullying.
Coren writes in this column: "First, the dishonesty of the premise that gay children are bullied. Some are, of course, but there is no objective study concluding gays are targeted. Body image is the major reason for bullying and figures that indicate otherwise tend to come from gay organizations."
Of course, being gay organizations, Coren assumes that they can't be telling the truth? Coren is such an asshole and a bigot. You want objective proof of homophobia in schools? Just walk down any high school hallway and listen. When teachers aren't around, I guarantee you will hear some bully use the term 'fag' or 'faggot' in a hateful way within a few minutes. Sure body image is another major reason for bullying in schools. What is the insult of choice against fat kids? 'Fat faggot,' probably. Coren would focus on the attack against the kid's body image, but ignore the second part as irrelevant.
In truth, the vast majority of kids who are attacked using homophobic language in schools are in fact straight. Hence, the reasoning behind the establishment of Gay-Straight Alliances in the first place.
Privileged, inward-looking, ignorant, powerful people in the Catholic school boards and elsewhere like Coren are leading the charge against any recognition of gay abuse in our schools. They don't care about gay kids. They shrug as gay kids continue to contemplate suicide to escape the hell these boards have created for them. And they fight tooth and nail to keep the hatred in our schools unchallenged.
Shame.
When reading some letters to the editor on this subject in the National Post, I came across this ignorant letter from Reverend John Yake of Toronto which clearly points out the ignorance of those who are fighting Bill 13. As we know, gay kids are generally in the closet in high school. They don't feel safe coming out or even raising the issue of being gay for fear of attack, ridicule and further social isolation. Considering this truth, give Rev. Yake's words a look:
"There has been lots of hype over Ontario’s Bill 13, a measure to address bullying based on sexual orientation, but is this really a problem? I recently retired from a 33-year career in teaching where my role as chaplain involved listening to and counselling students. A support group program emerged where issues could be discussed if they were experienced by a number of students. Topics discussed ranged from bereavement, chronic illness, drug and alcohol abuse, families of divorced/separated parents and stress. In my 33 years, the issue of bullying based on sexual orientation never was raised. So what’s this really about? Might the real issue behind Bill 13 be the advancement of an anti-Catholic agenda, a strategy to undermine Christian values under the guise of protecting children? This suggestion sickens me not only because it unfairly uses people’s perceived pain to advance an ideology of hate but also because it is singularly unCanadian especially when exercised by a legitimately elected government that is obliged to guard rights of freedom of religion.
Rev. John Yake, Toronto."
For a former educator in the Catholic system, Rev. Yake displays a horrifying amount of ignorance on the subject he chooses to write and publish. Had I been a kid stuck in Rev. Yake's classroom or support group, I wouldn't have raised my issues of isolation and pain over my sexual orientation with him either. It's this disgusting Catholic ignorance which remains a thorn in the side of all of us who have survived this religion and this school system.
I want to commend Joanne Chianello for this great piece in the Ottawa Citizen this week on this subject. Her thoughts reflect many of my own as a lapsed Catholic.
If one good thing has come out of this debate (besides focusing the public on the issue of bullying in schools and, in particular, the massive vulnerability of LGBT youth in our schools), it has re-awoken the issue of public funding for Catholic schools in Ontario, reminding many of us how archaic Ontario truly is. We must end funding for Catholic schools now and unite the two systems into one, publicly funded, secular system. I wrote about one strategy for how the government could win a mandate to pursue this just path some months ago. I truly hope someone in the McGuinty government is listening and willing to end this historic injustice sooner rather than never.
UPDATE: Here's another lovely article from today's Globe by Tabatha Southey.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Canadian Christopher Plummer wins Oscar
The proudest moment for me during last night's great Oscars telecast: Canadian Christopher Plummer winning Best Supporting Actor for his terrific performance in 'Beginners.'
Richly deserved, the 82-year-old Toronto native who now makes his home in Connecticut becomes the oldest person to win an acting Oscar ever. And to win for such a beautiful film and character, it's icing on the cake. Plummer played a 75-year-old father who comes out of the closet as a gay man following the death of his wife of 44 years.
"You're only two years older than me, darling," Plummer said during his acceptance speech last night, holding up the famous golden statue that resembles a well-formed male, perhaps a humorous reference his character's homosexuality. "Where have you been all my life?"
It's wonderful we are living in a time when a conservative organization like the Academy feels comfortable awarding an actor for playing such a role. [Not that all the Academy's choices are beyond criticism, but still it's nice when they get it oh so right.] The lessons re-affirmed by his character's life - it's never too late to be true to yourself - are most welcome.
Bravo to a great Canadian actor! Congrats, Mr. Plummer!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Thumbs up for XTRA editorial: 'Drummond's glaring omission'
I heartily agree with Xtra's Andrea Houston about Don Drummond's glaring omission in his report last week, which could be nicknamed 'How to cut inefficiencies and duplications in the Ontario government except those inefficiencies and duplications that might require a constitutional amendment and a little fortitude to take on historic inequities.'
It's offensive that Drummond could argue that class sizes should be increased, education workers be fired, and other major cutbacks be endured by all systems rather than address this obvious inequity of funding one religion's public schools, but not others.
I'm sure there were some issues that Drummond was ordered not to even touch (ie. private health care delivery perhaps?) I truly hope he didn't get his marching orders from the McGuinty Liberals to steer clear from taking on the duplication of public school systems in Ontario.
It's offensive that Drummond could argue that class sizes should be increased, education workers be fired, and other major cutbacks be endured by all systems rather than address this obvious inequity of funding one religion's public schools, but not others.
I'm sure there were some issues that Drummond was ordered not to even touch (ie. private health care delivery perhaps?) I truly hope he didn't get his marching orders from the McGuinty Liberals to steer clear from taking on the duplication of public school systems in Ontario.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Ontario's Catholic schools quandary...
This article today by Chris Selley is the latest to clearly signal the increasingly irreconcilable conflict between the public sphere in Ontario and one of its two publicly funded education systems, namely the Catholic school system.
While the provincial government has been working hard to combat the biggest threat to students in our schools - bullying (which is frequently homophobic in nature) - the Catholic system has been working at odds to conform with provincial direction while not, in its collective mind, contradicting Catholic faith. The result from Catholic educators is this weak compromise: 'Respecting Difference' clubs instead of provincially-mandated 'gay-straight alliances' in public schools.
I was a closeted, gay student in the Catholic system in Ontario. What I needed then and what similar students still obviously need today is a firm and clear strategy in our schools to combat homophobia. If left alone, hatred of the other (which frequently is the gay other) runs rampant, threatening student safety and productivity. The message must be sent - in public schools and in Catholic schools alike - that homophobia is wrong and that LGBT people are every bit deserving of acceptance and respect as straight people.
The inherent conflict here is in Catholic doctrine which states that homosexuality is against the so-called natural law. It's hard to respect somebody when you believe they, at their core, run "contrary to natural law" and are "intrinsically disordered." If Catholic educators believe such nonsense, why shouldn't a 13-year-old Catholic jock?
These new 'Respecting Difference' clubs as proposed by Catholic bishops who are overseeing the process to draft board policies simply do not go far enough. The clubs themselves, unable to use the word 'gay' in their names and unable to do anything without the condescending presence of school chaplains, seem like a pathetic, pale imitation of the real thing. The whole point of GSAs is visibility. These new Catholic school clubs sound a lot like 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'
I'm increasingly of the opinion that we can't square this issue. A modern society which accepts all people as equal, including its LGBT minority, not to mention the equality of all religions, simply can't go on publicly funding one religion's schools.
Our most vulnerable - our youth - are being subjected to systemic discrimination in one of our publicly-funded education systems.
The clear answer for me is to end funding for Catholic schools in Ontario. The province should be in the business of running one publicly funded system for all students. Additional public funding for one religion's schools at the exclusion of all others is simply outdated and unfair in post-Charter Canada.
The provincial government is using kid gloves to handle its Catholic education partners on this issue. As Selley writes, "this smells to me like yet another attempt to be seen addressing a problem without angering a powerful stakeholder. And it illustrates yet again that when push comes to shove, publicly funded Catholic education, in Ontario, in 2012, makes very little sense at all."
If this is Dalton McGuinty's last term as premier, and we are about to enter into an era of fiscal restraint and fiscal sanity a la Don Drummond in order to tame our public finances, wouldn't this be the right time to re-examine our province's commitment to two publicly-funded school systems, with all the inherent duplication of administration and extra costs, not to mention the lack of commitment to basic student safety? I say yes. Of course, embarking on this path is frightening to politicians who don't wish to cause conflict where none currently exists in the tranquil, unequal, and unjust status quo. But perhaps it is time for someone to finally exercise some needed leadership.
While the provincial government has been working hard to combat the biggest threat to students in our schools - bullying (which is frequently homophobic in nature) - the Catholic system has been working at odds to conform with provincial direction while not, in its collective mind, contradicting Catholic faith. The result from Catholic educators is this weak compromise: 'Respecting Difference' clubs instead of provincially-mandated 'gay-straight alliances' in public schools.
I was a closeted, gay student in the Catholic system in Ontario. What I needed then and what similar students still obviously need today is a firm and clear strategy in our schools to combat homophobia. If left alone, hatred of the other (which frequently is the gay other) runs rampant, threatening student safety and productivity. The message must be sent - in public schools and in Catholic schools alike - that homophobia is wrong and that LGBT people are every bit deserving of acceptance and respect as straight people.
The inherent conflict here is in Catholic doctrine which states that homosexuality is against the so-called natural law. It's hard to respect somebody when you believe they, at their core, run "contrary to natural law" and are "intrinsically disordered." If Catholic educators believe such nonsense, why shouldn't a 13-year-old Catholic jock?
These new 'Respecting Difference' clubs as proposed by Catholic bishops who are overseeing the process to draft board policies simply do not go far enough. The clubs themselves, unable to use the word 'gay' in their names and unable to do anything without the condescending presence of school chaplains, seem like a pathetic, pale imitation of the real thing. The whole point of GSAs is visibility. These new Catholic school clubs sound a lot like 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'
I'm increasingly of the opinion that we can't square this issue. A modern society which accepts all people as equal, including its LGBT minority, not to mention the equality of all religions, simply can't go on publicly funding one religion's schools.
Our most vulnerable - our youth - are being subjected to systemic discrimination in one of our publicly-funded education systems.
The clear answer for me is to end funding for Catholic schools in Ontario. The province should be in the business of running one publicly funded system for all students. Additional public funding for one religion's schools at the exclusion of all others is simply outdated and unfair in post-Charter Canada.
The provincial government is using kid gloves to handle its Catholic education partners on this issue. As Selley writes, "this smells to me like yet another attempt to be seen addressing a problem without angering a powerful stakeholder. And it illustrates yet again that when push comes to shove, publicly funded Catholic education, in Ontario, in 2012, makes very little sense at all."
If this is Dalton McGuinty's last term as premier, and we are about to enter into an era of fiscal restraint and fiscal sanity a la Don Drummond in order to tame our public finances, wouldn't this be the right time to re-examine our province's commitment to two publicly-funded school systems, with all the inherent duplication of administration and extra costs, not to mention the lack of commitment to basic student safety? I say yes. Of course, embarking on this path is frightening to politicians who don't wish to cause conflict where none currently exists in the tranquil, unequal, and unjust status quo. But perhaps it is time for someone to finally exercise some needed leadership.
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