oar aoe Gay pride rejection a | bad call, says councillor THE DECISION to refuse a gay pride day proclama- tion was short-sighted, says David Hull, the lone city councillor to support the idea. All council had to do, he said, was make the pro- clamation — a token ges- ture that may give some ‘comfort to local gays. “Life 1 don’t think is very easy for people who are gay in a small com- munity,” Hull tald council, adding poor self-esteem and higher suicide rates are among problems they experience, He noted Rainbow B.C. was not proposing “some wild flamboyant parade” or seeking distribution of “propaganda” about the gay lifestyle. The average person probably would have never known or cared if the city had made the proclama- tion, he said. But now, he said, coun- cil’s decision will give the city bad press, highlight Terrace’ as an area of into- lerance and generally di- From front vide es citizens. “I think we’re going to get a lot of fallout from this that really wasn’t ne- cessary,” Hull said. “If it serves to inflame peaple’s opinions it won't be good.” If legal action is filed against the city, he noted, it will also cost money and staff time.” The B.C, Human Rights Tribunal has found some B.C, towns’ refusal to pro- claim gay pride days to be discriminatory. “I thought we might learn from those who came before us,” Hull said. The mayor of Kelowna was hit with such a ruling when he excised the word “pride” from a request to proclaim. a Lesbian and Gay Pride Day in 1997, The tribunal ordered Kelowna’s mayor and council to sit through a three-hour ‘“unlearning homophobia” re-education session with the complai- nants and thal the city pay the gay pride day commit- tee there $10,000. The City of Kelowna David Hull was also ordered to issue gay pride proclamations for so long as it issues other proclamations. Kelaewna council re- sponded by ending all pro- clamations rather than pro- claim gay pride days. If Terrace goes that roule, Hull said, it will be a true low point’ when council has to tell local Scouts or other groups it will no longer perform pro- clamations because it didn’t want ta deal with a gay pride day request. Hull noted council. fre- quently. makes proclama- tions for non-local proups: . “We pet dozens of re- quests: from offices not based in Terrace,” he said. On April 3, for exam- ple, council proclaimed April “Conquer Cancer Month” at the request of the Canadian Cancer Soc- iety. The same day it named May “Child Care Month” on behalf of the Ministry of Social Deve- lopment and Economic Security. It also pro- claimed May 21-27 Natio- nal Public Works Week on the requesl of the Public Works Association of B.C. It has also made over- lapping proclamations for the same dates. . “[ had homophobic roots, but I really worked hard to accept people who are - different ourselves,” Hull said. “It -probably wouldn't have hurt the city to enter the new millennium with a litle bit of a new- atti- tude,” » Council refuses request for gay pride day proclamation The Terrace Standard, Wednesdoy july 5, 2000 - Al] “Tradillons are o big pod of my.culture. - 440s Caledonia Senior Secondary School of Untorlunately, : (ee oma: =) Summer Office Hours Bernie, Fist Nohans July 4-7: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm seymsoker July 10-28 Office Closed July 31 - Aug, 25: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm HELP SOMEONE YOU KNOW, CALL 1-800-BANTING (A sieret fests The office will be closed on ASSOCIATION | OFV CIANETE weekends and public holidays. www diabotes.ca FOSTER FAMILY NEEDED St T i Ministry for Children & udent Transcripts will be mailed Families requires homes directly to the student home address by for children of all ages the Ministry of Education to arrive in the with a variety af first week of August, em, behaviours and special needs. Remuneration will be provided based on skills and abilities. If interested please call Lee Coxtord 638-2311 Copies of Transcripts can be obtained from the School Office ‘during Office Hours at a cost of $2.00 each. than ° planned by another organization,” Power said. Councillor Ron Vanderlee refused to back the proclamation because it wasn’t requested by local people. “This does nat come from a local group,” Vanderlee said. Lynne Christiansen said she found the tone of Rainbow B.C.’s letter “imposing,” adding it seemed to threaten legal action if council re- fused the request. “We're sort of being threatened if we don’t proclaim this,” added Rich MeDaniel,.“I don’t, like to, be told we: not doing locally.” Val George was the only council- lor ta openly say he objects to the idea of the city recognizing a gay pride day. “T can’t support this agenda which promotes something I find morally or socially reprehensible,” he said. George also said the proclamation amounts to a political agenda and city proclamations shouldn't be used in that way. Mayor Jack Talstra refused to comment on the proclamation re- quest, citing the possibility of egal “There’s a lot of threats in this letter,” Talstra said. where this will go,” The tolerance committee Snyder and others have restarted formed in 1997 in reaction.to a rally staged here by a Langley-based crusader opposing the teaching of tolerance of homosexuality in schools, More than 500 people attended the Terrace rally. Snyder said the committee is thinking of changing its name to something involving “celebration” rather than mere: “tolerance” of “Who knows , — W. — RADELET & COMPANY Earristars 8 Solicitors Tax Law ¢ Trusts * Corporate & Commercial 1330 - 1075 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, B.C. VaE IC9 Phone: 604-689-0878 Fax: 604-689-1986 - action from ‘Rainbow B.C: Park Report by Bryn White Canoda is home fo three of the eight species of baors that room the plonal. Unless you live anywhere along the Arctic coost, you are probably fomilias with twa kinds af bears; the black bear and the grizzly, or brown bear, More than half of all the grizzly bears in Coneda liva in BC, and the majority of oll black hears in North America reside in Conoda ond Alaska, Bents ara one of the largest wild animals that make Lokelse Lake Provincial Pork their home, although it is rare to see one os they ore also very shy of humans. Nevertheless, bears leave clues behind that Jel us know where ihey have bean, You may find tracks in the mud, fogs ond stumps thay have ripped apart looking for food, or dork piles of scat thal may be full of bits of grass, vegetation ot even whole berries! The fact that beors are nol picky eaters helps them it the wild as they will search far and ant a variety of foods in lean times. Problems arise whon thoughtless humans in bear country ore not careful with food ond garbage storage so baors, being the opportun- isle eaters they ore by nature, discover thal eusy meals are to be found in the camp. ground. Gorbuge addicted bears lose their fear of humons ond Park staff must do all they can to deter the bear from returning. Sometimes that means o bear must be desttoyed. Here ore some things that you can do to keap yourself, and bears sole at Lokelse Loke Provincial Park: Store food in airtight containers and stash them in your vehicle. -Avold strong smelling food such as fish that will attract bears, or store very odorous food in cirtight containers ond place oll gurboge in bear-proof garboge containers found throughout the park -Clean up your campsite Immediately, Navar leave cooking utensils, coolers, greasa or dish water lying around. -Never bury garbage. Baars are good ot digging for their food. -Keap yaur pets leashed of oll times, Dogs have baen known 10 provoke beor allacks, ond may return to their owners with a bear in pursuit, On the Trail: -Wolth for bear sign (scat, tracks, ripped up logs, bark peeling, tree rubbing), -Be alert if you sea fresh signs of a bear, “Wear o bear bell or meke offar noise to lat o bear know you are coming ‘Hike aso group, -Reduce odors that altract bears. BC is beor country ond no matter where we are we ore never very for from bears, We connol expect beors to change thelr behaviour, Following these simple ttles will ensure a sofe ond enjoyable pork visit for your family. LAKELSE LAKE PROVINCIAL Parks | PARK VISITORS PROGRAMS Schedule of programs are as follows: the Pork, You may gel wel, so-be prepored! 7:00pni Lakelse Scavenger Hunt Gel your eyes, acrt and noses al the candy because we ara going an a seatch for living things! Saturday July 8 4:00pm — Jerry's Rangers “Flash From The Past” Learn mare about First Nations ond pioneer ute of the forest-History Hound sticker, 7300 Bears Come and learn abaut the largest car- nivore In the Pork. Sunday July 9 4:00pm Walk With The Giants Sacrols of the roinforas! revealed! 7: Open Jerry's Rangers “Who Eats Who?” Exoloring the food web-Ecrth Explorer sticker. Monday July 10 7:00pm = Tha Things We Love to Hate’ The pri- vote lives of Slugs, bugs and fungus. ALL ARE WELCOME © PROGRAMS ARE FREE ALL PROGRAMS WiLL BE HELD a Thursday July 6 4:00pm Whot’s bugging you? —Leotn cbaut the impart of insects in tha Pork and make your own to toke home {children’s traf). 7:00pm Stalking the selmon Did you eves wander how salmon ind their woy back home? Friday Joly 7 Plunge Int 4:00pm — Investigate some aquatic life in THE AMPHITHEATER UNLESS OTHERWISE POSTED. ‘*"homosexuality. ¢ co, “ae: oh? TAGRIC ATOR BBEY orf _ ABBEY TRADITIONS WOODS For The Month: WINDOW COVERINGS - FOR ALL OUR MANY »@@ VALUED CUSTOMERS TODAY & TOMORROW 4647 Lakelse Avenue, Terrace, 635-7281 Store Hours: Monday to Friday 9-9, Saturday 9-6, and Sunday 11-5