tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834596026525717264.post1848580890764960930..comments2023-12-14T13:49:25.768-08:00Comments on This Gay Relationship: Positive Images (Revised)Rick Modienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157314737543591048noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834596026525717264.post-67247395915203345742011-02-24T23:02:01.209-08:002011-02-24T23:02:01.209-08:00Couldn't agree more, mancards, and thanks for ...Couldn't agree more, mancards, and thanks for your comment. <br />Unfortunately, it looks like TDCT cherry picks where these same-sex ads appear, both in newspapers and in branches. For example, they're visible in Vancouver, but Sarah, one of my others readers, says they're not in Calgary. <br />Which tells us TDCT's commitment to portraying us positively in the media is careful and measured, obviously because they don't want to piss off offended customers and lose market share. <br />This concerns me since these positive images need to appear in smaller cities and towns across Canada, because gay folks there could especially use them. <br />On the one hand, we're making progress, and, on the other, we're not. But, hey, one step at a time, right? At least we have to give TDCT credit for what they've done so far. It's much more than any other financial institution, including the one I worked for for twenty-eight years.<br />Thanks for your interest in my blog. I hope you'll keep coming back.Rick Modienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02157314737543591048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834596026525717264.post-63256092365026975202011-02-24T21:29:56.554-08:002011-02-24T21:29:56.554-08:00Kudos to TDCT for taking up the slack and for show...Kudos to TDCT for taking up the slack and for showing its commitment and consistency, year over year, in its support of us.mancardshttp://mancards.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834596026525717264.post-16342924922801734682011-01-17T13:04:52.849-08:002011-01-17T13:04:52.849-08:00Sarah, I have no problems engaging in ongoing conv...Sarah, I have no problems engaging in ongoing conversations with my readers. I learn a lot through them, and I like the opportunity to build a connection, especially with someone as accepting and supportive as you. <br />Feel free to stop by and to comment any time and as often as you like. I don't mind in the least.<br />(And thanks for the clarification on how you found me and Pride parades. I appreciate it.)Rick Modienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02157314737543591048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834596026525717264.post-56405942804285360212011-01-17T12:35:57.777-08:002011-01-17T12:35:57.777-08:00At the risk of over-commenting (promise I won'...At the risk of over-commenting (promise I won't do this every time I comment!) here's the link (http://www.slapupsidethehead.com/resources/) Look at the list on the right, you're found under "Queer Canada Blogs." I was looking for resources to do with parenting, as the place where I volunteer is trying to put together some links for parents, and so much of what's out there is mainstream, I wanted to include some links to other sites as well, for "gender-variant" kids (read, the opposite of tomboys), that sort of thing. <br /><br />And I did read that post of your about Pride parades, and had two thoughts: First of all, I think Calgary's version is pretty tame, there were lots of parents with kids watching it go by (and happily accepting the lollipops we were handing out), it was mainly floats from social service non-profits like ours, and yeah, there were a few with dancing boys, but mainly it was just a good time. Lots of gay couples watching the parade, it didn't really have that "single and beautiful only" vibe. Second, perhaps I see it differently as a straight woman, I just see it as a celebration, whereas if it were, say, something being done by a women's group that I felt reflected poorly on women in general, I might feel more strongly, I'd be more sensitized to the issues and possible reactions.<br /><br />Glad to have found you, will check back often, cheers!Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07590889190847673743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834596026525717264.post-47529394922099777672011-01-17T11:35:54.782-08:002011-01-17T11:35:54.782-08:00Good to hear about things loosening up a bit in Ca...Good to hear about things loosening up a bit in Calgary and more support for the Pride parade there. <br />I've written a post here about not supporting Vancouver Pride anymore because what goes on there doesn't represent most of us who are older and in committed relationships. The point I make is, Pride is all well and good, if you're young and pretty and muscular, but it allows the community at large to think that's all we're about. And, believe me, Chris, my partner, and I know gay pride is about so much more. I feel in some respects the gay movement is held back by the overly sexualized images, at the parade in our media, etc., so I'm doing my best here to create some balance in how we're perceived. Who knows how successful I am.<br />Anyway, you sound like one cool mom, accompanying your teenaged son to a Sister Scissors concert in Vancouver. Good for you. Like I said before, I applaud how openminded you are and the example you set. <br />And thanks for letting me know how you found my blog, and for making me aware of the Slap Upside the Head blog, which I'd never heard of. Curiously, I went looking for a reference to my blog on that site and didn't find it. Oh, well, I appreciate all the publicity my blog gets, so, if it's there, so much the better.<br />Thanks again for visiting and commenting. I hope you'll return often.Rick Modienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02157314737543591048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834596026525717264.post-52730580077562037142011-01-16T21:31:06.121-08:002011-01-16T21:31:06.121-08:00Thanks, Rick! Yeah, Calgary can be pretty disappoi...Thanks, Rick! Yeah, Calgary can be pretty disappointing at times (71% of Herald readers said they were against the Sask. court decision that wouldn't let marriage commissioners opt of same-sex marriages), but there is good here, too. I volunteer at the Calgary Sexual Health Centre, and this year the Gay Pride Parade had tons of people out on the street watching it (which probably doesn't seem like a big deal for Vancouver, but in previous years, it had really low attendance from spectators.) Anyway, I think if we all try in whatever way we can (for me, it's writing letters to the Herald blasting their antiquated views!), it's got to help after a while. It was cool to be in Vancouver with my youngest son, we were there for the Scissor Sisters concert, and I could tell he was really noticing how much more openness there was there. <br />Found your blog via "Slap Upside the Head", it's a really good read, thanks for sharing your story.<br />--SarahSarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07590889190847673743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834596026525717264.post-55232293046288022602011-01-16T20:15:39.115-08:002011-01-16T20:15:39.115-08:00Wow! So from what you've written here, SBS, I...Wow! So from what you've written here, SBS, I understand TD Canada Trust might in fact place their ads, featuring same-sex couples, only in certain markets in the country where they believe the ads will be more accepted (and potentially less damage will be done to TD's reputation). <br />I'm with you on this one. Absolutely, TD should place the same ad right across the country, large city or small town. Are there no gay people or couples in Calgary? Do these people not need to be validated in the same way as those in Vancouver, where the ads regularly appear? I sincerely hope TD isn't making that mistake. <br />But I can't let this opportunity go by without commending you for the way you're parenting your son. Your openness, your ready acceptance of gay people, both will go a long way toward raising a more open and accepting young person in our country. You should be proud of yourself for this. We need many, many more parents like you. <br />Thank you for your wonderful comment and for the great example you set for all parents, regardless of where they live.Rick Modienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02157314737543591048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834596026525717264.post-9534278651229398432011-01-16T19:36:20.132-08:002011-01-16T19:36:20.132-08:00When my son (14) and I were in Vancouver this fall...When my son (14) and I were in Vancouver this fall we passed a TD bank, and it had a huge wall sized ad of the two men sitting in the big chair, I think it was for mortgages. He noticed it, and said, "You'd never see an ad like that in Calgary." I certainly hope we do see ads like that in Calgary, but kudos to TD bank for having them in Vancouver...it's not like 14 year old boys generally notice bank ads, but this one made an impression...Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07590889190847673743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834596026525717264.post-77965690923673091692011-01-13T11:31:38.101-08:002011-01-13T11:31:38.101-08:00Judging by some of the photos I saw of TD Canada T...Judging by some of the photos I saw of TD Canada Trust on Google, I think you're right. <br />At one time, I thought VanCity was the credit union/financial institution to come out (so to speak) in support of the gay community. But that position seems to have gone away. Haven't seen much lately. <br />Kudos to TDCT for taking up the slack and for showing its commitment and consistency, year over year, in its support of us.<br />And my congratulations to the advertising firm TDCT employed for coming up with such a positive and inspirational representation of gay men, and especially older gay men.<br />Honestly, I'd rather be compared to the two men in this picture any day than most of the less flattering pictures of gay men in our own publications and in the mainstream media. <br />I have no doubt this image has done more to improve the average citizen's view of gay men than any other. We really are like everyone else, not at all like the more visible (and less clothed) part of our community <br />Thanks for your comment, Doug.Rick Modienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02157314737543591048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834596026525717264.post-69267021091919211502011-01-12T23:43:57.499-08:002011-01-12T23:43:57.499-08:00TD Canada Trust seems to be a big sponsor of Pride...TD Canada Trust seems to be a big sponsor of Pride events in Vancouver and Toronto too!Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05931170635280052744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834596026525717264.post-39456226349554738532011-01-12T22:33:45.734-08:002011-01-12T22:33:45.734-08:00As always, Heather, I'm thrilled with your com...As always, Heather, I'm thrilled with your comment. Apparently, there's demand to see the actual image, so, if you wouldn't mind, please send a copy to my email address so I can include it here. And thanks so much for your offer and kind words.<br /><br />Thanks for your interest and enthusiasm, Neal. I'll get it up as soon as I can. Believe me, you won't be disappointed.Rick Modienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02157314737543591048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834596026525717264.post-37983672910924252612011-01-12T21:09:21.624-08:002011-01-12T21:09:21.624-08:00Post it! Post it!Post it! Post it!canadianhumilityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17765821265373068860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834596026525717264.post-33313732392171127422011-01-12T18:10:38.543-08:002011-01-12T18:10:38.543-08:00I agree! It's a beautiful ad! Your description...I agree! It's a beautiful ad! Your description made me want to find it, even if it meant signing up for a 21 day free digital subscription to the paper. :)<br /><br />I've got the full ad now, directly from the paper, so if you'd like to post it up, let me know, and I'll be more than glad to share it with you!<br /><br />I will be using it on my blog, and referencing your post as well, because your perspective is absolutely invaluable. <br /><br />Thank you Rick, for sharing something beautiful, positive and inspiring.chaoticGRRLhttp://chaoticgrrl.comnoreply@blogger.com