In the early days of gay liberation, political speech was tolerated, no matter how outrageous. It was always sex that got us into trouble, both doing it and talking about it. But in 2012, we were told Pride was about celebrating sex in all of its outrageous manifestations. It was political speech that was unacceptable.
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We had come a long way but we hadn't exactly ended up where we expected. First, such progress hadn't affected all of us in the same way. Some parts of our community were just as disenfranchised as ever, while others had become identified with the status quo. As we moved from the peripheries to the mainstream, there was a remarkable transformation in dominant LGBT politics, from one aimed at social transformation to one that celebrated inclusion. Toronto's Pride parade now featured many of our traditional antagonists: the Conservative party, churches, some of the biggest corporations and banks, the police, and the military.Â
In terms of the rights struggle, Canada has consistently surpassed the United States in our gains in an imagined liberal and tolerant nation. But in doing so, we have also strengthened the bright image that hides the reality of the lives of Aboriginal, racialized, and marginalized people, regardless of sexual orientation.
