Peter Carlyle-Gordge

Smart businesses see huge value in supporting GLBT* community

Consider this: in 2010, Pride Toronto had an estimated economic impact of $136 million and created 600 jobs. 

Although Pride Winnipeg does not produce such impressive figures, it’s an important contributor to the local economy and it can get a company’s brand noticed. Now that Pride Winnipeg is held at The Forks, companies are exposed to tens of thousands of attendees. 

In the second part of this series, OutWords explores what local experts are doing to give LGBT athletes a new beginning

Patrick Burke's You Can Play project is a step in the right direction, but entrenched attitudes, like mountains, are only worn away over time by a steady drip of opposing ideas from people society respects.

Encouraging political leadership in the GLBT community

Late last September, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden hosted an end-of-summer barbecue at his official residence to recognize emerging young leaders of the GLBT community. They were joined by senior Obama administration officials and GLBT leaders from all over the country.

The guest – students and community organizers, advocates, artists and military veterans – represented the tremendous diversity and talent within the GLBT community. They were all committed activists for the pursuit of equality, justice and dignity for GLBT people. 

Now try to imagine the same happening at 24 Sussex Drive. Even though Canada has long led the U.S. when it comes to basic gay rights, gay marriage and general respect, its hard to picture, eh?

Compiled by Peter Carlyle-Gordge

Ottawa implemented a bathhouse testing project to detect chlamydia, shown magnified in the picture.

Confidential testing for a sometimes-undetectable STI

OTTAWA – In response to a rise in cases of chlamydia, the City of Ottawa has reintroduced a confidential bathhouse testing project to encourage testing for those who don't want to see a clinician.

Italian media is accusing the Pope of resigning based on the results from an internal Vatican investigation.: Photo from Getty Images.

Vatican slams gay sex scandal accusations

VATICAN CITY – Vatican officials have pushed back against reports from the Italian media which claimed that Pope Benedict XVI's resignation was due to pressure from a secret group of gay clergy.