Well, it’s the long weekend! And to celebrate, I’ve prepared this amazing Canada Day Update in advance to let you know how some of the stories I’ve been tracking have progressed. Uh, also I’d like to take some time off to bask in the hot Canadian sun…

Gay Mounties Wed

Jason Tree and David Conners, the two gay Mounties whose marriage plans made international news, have wed! (Congrats, guys!) When pestered by all sorts of media, Tree said he was confused by all the attention their little wedding has been getting.

We don’t see our wedding as anything different or special. Our goal was to get married, not have an international media story.

Oh, and Conservative MPs are still disallowed to comment on the event. You know, because our crazy prime minister trusts his caucus so.

Homophobia Honored

Although Toronto’s Ryerson University has stated it now regrets its decision, an honorary degree was still conferred to a notorious homophobe, Margaret Somerville—at the same time as the city’s Pride Week opening ceremonies, might I add. During her acceptance speech, Margaret tried to comfort the protesters at the event.

As we all know, some people are hurt by some of my views. I want to say that, although I believe that I must stand by those views, I genuinely regret the hurt that causes them.

Gee, Margaret. That’s so touching. Thanks for accepting a degree that first the students, then the university itself didn’t want to give you.

No Jail Time for Gay Attack

Nick Demers, who punched a gay man in the face for dressing colourfully during Edmonton’s Pride Week celebrations last year just received a six-month conditional sentence for the attack. That means no jail time, folks. But at least his court-ordered apology sounded sincere. That ought to be enough to satisfy everyone, right?

Well, regardless. That, kiddos, is the Canada Day Update! Happy Canada Day long weekend, everyone!

Here’s an oldie: What do you get when you wear a fur coat, white jeans, suede boots, and a “Drama Queen” t-shirt to Edmonton’s Gay Pride Week celebrations? Give up? A punch in the face from a crazy, anti-gay stranger!

I wouldn’t bother holding for laughter on that “punchline.” It’s the brainchild of Nicolas Demers, a 19 year old anti-gay kook who pleaded guilty last week to punching a gay man in the face during Pride Week. Demers was caught after assaulting the man in City Hall last June, despite attempts to escape the building undetected. (Apparently, “cleverly” swapping t-shirts with a friend doesn’t fool today’s CSI-informed security guards.)

The motivation for this anti-gay attack was, well, spawned by irrational anti-gayness. “There should be a law against dressing like that,” Demers told security personnel, “He deserved to be punched.”

Happily, despite Demers’ “creative lobbying,” there aren’t any laws against dressing colourfully. Though, there are apparently laws against punching someone in the face. Sentencing begins this June.

• Attack Haunts Gay Supporter [Edmonton SUN]